Need for cognitive rehabilitation for children with sickle cell disease and strokes

Expert Rev Neurother. 2008 Feb;8(2):291-6. doi: 10.1586/14737175.8.2.291.

Abstract

Stroke is a significant cause of morbidity among children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Approximately 30% of children with sickle cell anemia will have either an overt stroke or silent infarct (an injury to the brain that does not have any focal neurological findings or a history of focal neurological deficits). Despite the strong association between stroke and cognitive deficits and poor educational attainment, few interventions have been developed to address this vulnerable population of children. A cognitive rehabilitation program was piloted to improve the memory and educational achievement of children with sickle cell disease and stroke. While the intervention was feasible, additional research is needed to establish efficacy. Ongoing studies are designed to improve the cognitive impairment for children with SCD and stroke. The health and educational systems will need to work as partners to improve the cognitive and educational outcomes of these children after they suffer from stroke.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / psychology
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / rehabilitation*
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / trends
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / psychology
  • Cognition Disorders / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Stroke / complications
  • Stroke / psychology
  • Stroke Rehabilitation*