The Hand-Foot Syndrome in Sickle-Cell Disease in Young Children

Twenty Negro infants and young children with sickle-cell disease had crises characterized by painfully swollen hands and/or feet—the "hand-foot" syndrome. Usually within 7 to 14 days periosteal elevation and areas of bone destruction appeared in the metatarsals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The swelling subsided in about 1 to 3 weeks, and the roentgenographic changes in about 3 months. Thirty-two cases reported by other authors are reviewed.