Sickle cell disease is known to cause various degrees of vasculopathy, including impact on heart function. The aims of this single-centre, retrospective study were to assess cardiac chamber size and function and the relationship with haematological indices such as haemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, reticulocytosis and bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase in sickle cell disease.

Right ventricle and left ventricle diastolic diameters, left ventricle mass estimate, left ventricle shortening fraction, myocardial performance index, and an index of myocardial relaxation (E/E’) were calculated and correlated with haematological parameters.

A total of 110 patients (65% haemoglobin SS, 29% haemoglobin SC) were studied at a mean age of 12.14±5.26 years. Right ventricle dilatation and left ventricle dilatation were present in 61.5 and 42.9%, respectively. Left ventricle mass was abnormal in 21.9%; all patients had normal myocardial performance index, 31.4% had abnormal E/E’, and left ventricle shortening fraction was low in 38.1%. Cardiac dilatation was best correlated with haemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase, reticulocytosis and bilirubin. Best subset regression analysis yielded significant additional prediction for right ventricle or left ventricle dilatation with haemoglobin, bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Abnormal E/E’ was solely predictable with haemoglobin level. Hydroxyurea-treated patients had improved diastolic function.

Right ventricle dilatation was more prevalent than left ventricle dilatation. The long-term consequences of right ventricular dilatation, clinical consequences, and association with pulmonary vasculopathy need to be further determined.

Cardiovascular events and complications are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with sickle cell disease. Cardiac abnormalities occur frequently and at an early stage in sickle cell anaemia patients, despite being more evident in adulthood. Sickle cell anaemia patients are increasingly able to reach adulthood owing to improved healthcare, and may, therefore, suffer the consequences of chronic cardiac injury. Thus, the study of cardiac abnormalities is essential in children

The aim of this study was to determine the echocardiographic changes in left ventricular function in children suffering from sickle cell disease in Mumbai, Western India.

The study comprised of 48 cases of sickle cell anaemia and 30 non-anaemic controls with normal haemoglobin and electrophoresis pattern. M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic measurements of patients and controls were performed according to the criteria of the American Echocardiography Society.

On Doppler study, the A wave height was increased and the E/A ratio was decreased, whereas the deceleration and isovolumetric relaxation times were prolonged, which is typically seen in slowed or impaired myocardial relaxation (p<0.001). Although chamber dilatations were present, echocardiographic parameters showed no statistically significant correlation with severity of anaemia and age among the sickle cell patients.

We conclude that the increased left ventricular stiffness, compared with controls, might be due to fibrosis related to ischaemia caused by SS disease in addition to wall hypertrophy.

To present the first published case of a child with bilateral profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss found in association with sickle cell anaemia, and to demonstrate the importance of early recognition, investigation and empirical treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Case report and review of world literature.

The authors present the case of a seven-year-old child with known sickle cell anaemia, who presented with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss developing over a period of five days. There was a history of ophthalmological disease in the preceding weeks, and inflammatory markers were raised. The differential diagnosis included a vaso-occlusive or inflammatory aetiology such as Cogan's syndrome, and treatment for both was instigated. Hearing thresholds did not recover, and the patient underwent cochlear implantation 12 weeks later.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss has a variable aetiology and is rare in children. Immediate treatment for all possible aetiologies is essential, along with targeted investigations and early referral for cochlear implantation if no recovery is demonstrated.