Spontaneous Simultaneous Bilateral Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage in a Child with Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common type of hereditary anemia with a particularly high prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. More than 230,000 children are affected in this geographical region every year, making up 80% of the global total.1 SCD is characterized by the abnormal polymerization of the β-globin protein, resulting in obstruction to the microcirculation and tissue hypoxia. Cerebral hemorrhage is quite uncommon, with an incidence ranging from 0.5 to 2%. Cerebrovascular complications contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the disease.2 3 4 Variable risk factors include acute hypertension, blood transfusion, use of steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).5