Hydroxyurea and Cardiac Sequelae in Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Cardiac complications in sickle cell disease patients are widely expected. They may be related to iron deposition, anaemia or vasculitis.Hydroxyurea is a known drug that decreases haemoglobin (Hb) S levels. The objective of the study was to assess the effect ofhydroxyurea on cardiac sequelae in children with sickle cell disease. Sixty-five sickle cell disease children were enrolled in the study; 37of them were on regular follow up and hydroxurea treatment, whereas 28 were not. All patients underwent echocardiography andN-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assay. Plasma levels of NTproBNP were significantly lower in sickle cell patientswho were on hydroxyurea treatment than in those without this therapy (p=0.03). NTproBNP levels showed significant correlationswith Hb (r=-0.72, p<0.05) and HbS levels (r=0.54, p<0.05). Significant positive correlations were detected between NTproBNP andechocardiography findings (r=0.64, p<0.01) including left ventricular mass index (r=0.78, p<0.01). In conclusion, hydroxyurea mayreduce cardiac complications in children with sickle cell disease.Key words: HYDROXYUREA; HEART; CHILDREN; ANEMIA, SICKLE CELL

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