Sickle cell disease is a prevalent health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, where resources for treatment and screening are scarce. As an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, I am dedicated to addressing the high risk of stroke in children with sickle cell disease. Without proper screening and treatment, the mortality rate for young children is alarmingly high.

Sickle cell disease, characterized by abnormal red blood cells, can lead to complications in major organs, particularly the brain. The resulting lower oxygen levels and abnormal blood flow significantly increase the risk of stroke. Shockingly, without intervention, 11% of children with sickle cell disease will suffer a stroke before the age of 20, with mortality rates for children under 5 years old ranging from 50% to 80%.

It is worth noting that the majority of sickle cell patients have an African heritage, and regions with historically high malaria rates have a higher frequency of the sickle gene, providing protection against the mosquito-borne disease.

In contrast to advanced nations like the U.S., where children have access to stroke-risk screening and blood transfusion therapy, sub-Saharan African nations lack the necessary resources for screening. The current screening tests, utilizing an ultrasound system called a transcranial Doppler, are unaffordable for many hospitals in the region.

The lack of resources for screening in sub-Saharan Africa highlights the urgent need for affordable stroke-risk screening to save the lives of children with sickle cell disease. Addressing this issue could significantly reduce the mortality rate and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.