Does your child have Sickle Cell Disease? Then be aware of this dangerous complication (Splenic Sequestration)

The doctor may have told you that your little one has Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). It is normal for you, as a parent, to feel a lot of fear and anxiety when you hear this. When living with this disease, we need to be careful about many things. That is why we need to pay special attention, and today we are talking about a dangerous complication that can even be life-threatening. This is called 'Splenic Sequestration'. Although this name is a bit strange, if you know about it properly, you can protect your child.

What exactly is Splenic Sequestration?

To understand this, let's first remember a little about sickle cell disease (SCD). Normally, the red blood cells in a healthy person are round and flat. Like a small disc. They move easily through the blood vessels without getting stuck. However, due to a change in the hemoglobin in the red blood cells of a child with SCD, these cells become stiff and sickle-shaped.

Now think about it, do these sickle-shaped cells swim through the blood vessels as easily as normal round cells? No, right? They stick together and try to get stuck inside the tiny blood vessels.

That's where the problem starts. In our body, on the left side of the stomach, there is an organ called the ' spleen '. This is like a security guard in our body. Its main duty is to clean the blood by removing the germs and old blood cells in the blood. But in a child with SCD, those sickle-shaped cells get stuck in the delicate blood vessels inside the spleen. It's like a traffic jam on a road.

When a large amount of blood that needs to circulate in the body gets stuck in the spleen, the number of red blood cells that carry oxygen to the rest of the body suddenly decreases dangerously. This is called severe anemia . This can make the child very weak and pale.

What are the symptoms of this condition? Things you need to be aware of as a parent

This is the most important part. If you are aware of these symptoms, you can act quickly and save the child's life. Although this condition is most common in young children, it can occur in people of any age with SCD.

Most importantly: Sometimes, even if other symptoms are not obvious, a swollen spleen can cause a dangerously low red blood cell count. So if you notice any of these signs, take your child to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. This is not a condition that can be treated at home.

How does the doctor diagnose this condition?

When you take your child to the hospital, the doctor will take several steps to confirm this condition.

1. Physical examination : First, the doctor will palpate the child's abdomen and check to see if the spleen is swollen or enlarged.

2. Blood tests: This is an essential test. A sample of the child's blood is taken and the hemoglobin level is checked to see how low the red blood cell count is. They also look for changes in the levels of white blood cells and platelets.

3. Other tests: In some cases, an X-ray or CT scan may be done to look more clearly at the condition of the spleen.

How to treat it? Don't be afraid.

Although this is an emergency, it can be managed successfully if you are hospitalized quickly.

The main treatment is a blood transfusion . This means that the child's red blood cell count is restored by giving him or her a compatible blood transfusion. This helps the body get the oxygen it needs, and the child's condition improves quickly. Sometimes, if the amount of blood in the spleen is too high, the doctor may have to remove some of the blood from the child's body while giving the blood.

What to do if it recurs?

One problem with splenic sequestration is that once it occurs, it is very likely to occur again . Some children will have to deal with this condition several times in their lifetime.

If this complication continues to occur, doctors may suggest surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy). Removing the spleen can completely prevent this dangerous condition from recurring. However, after the spleen is removed, the body's ability to resist disease (immunity) is slightly reduced, so the child will need to take special antibiotics and vaccines to protect against certain infections. Your doctor will explain this to you clearly.