Thyroid Doppler Indices in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

CD is a heterogenous disorder, with clinical manifestations including chronic hemolysis, an increased susceptibility to infections and vaso-occlusive complications. Abnormal thyroid function studies have been reported in patients with SCD. The etiology of thyroid dysfunction in SCD is not clear, however Investigators propose that thyroid dysfunction or 1ry thyroid failure in SCD patients may be caused by iron deposition in the thyroid gland or disruptions of tissue vitalization due to vaso-occlusive crisis and inflammatory mediators during ischemia. This study included 60 patients with sickle cell disease; aging equal or more than 10 years with a mean age of 16.08± 5.31 years, and male-to-female ratio of 1.61:1; who regularly attended the Hematology clinic, children Hospital of Ain Shams University. Patients were compared with 30 age-sex matched healthy subjects with a mean age of 14.41± 2.35 years, and male-to-female ratio of 1.5:1. All included patients were subjected to detailed medical history and thorough clinical examination with special emphasis on anthropometric measures, disease duration, history of sickling crises, transfusion history and iron chelation /hydroxyurea therapy. Laboratory investigations included CBC, baseline hemoglobin elecotrophoresis, and markers of hemolysis (LDH and indirect bilirubin).