Sequestration Sickle Cell Disease

Splenic sequestration in sickle cell disease is caused by trapping of red blood cells in the small vessels that take blood away from the spleen. It occurs mostly in children who are between 3 months and 5 years old and leads to accumulation of blood in the spleen.

Signs

• A patient with splenic sequestration may show the following signs: an enlarged spleen that can be felt through the skin of the abdomen, pale skin color and pain in the left side of the abdomen.

Effects

• During splenic sequestration, blood accumulates in the spleen and this reduces the amount of blood in the body. This reduction may lead to shock, where blood supply to different organs in the body is inadequate.

Treatment

• Treatment for splenic sequestration is geared towards correcting reduced levels of blood. Blood transfusions are therefore given to raise the blood volume in the body.

Surgical Management

• A splenectomy, which is the surgical removal of a person's spleen, may be done to prevent future occurrences of splenic sequestration.

Significance

• As stated in the book "Pediatric Hematology," acute splenic sequestration is a major cause of mortality in children with sickle cell disease. Therefore, early detection and treatment in cases of splenic sequestration is important.