Early splenomegaly in homozygous sickle-cell disease: An indicator of susceptibility to infection.
135 children with homozygous sickle-cell (SS) disease diagnosed at birth have been followed for 1--5 years. Severe bacterial infections were confined to those in whom the spleen was first palpable at or before 1 year of age and were commonest in those in whom the spleen was first palpable at or before age 6 months. Regular follow-up of children with SS disease diagnosed at birth will identify children particularly at risk of severe infections.
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000209:etiology; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000209:etiology; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000209:etiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000209:etiology; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000209:etiology; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000150:complications*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae