Bloodless management of significantly elevated transcranial Doppler velocity value in a Jehovah's witness child with sickle cell disease: A tertiary centre experience-A case report.

BACKGROUND

Effective management of complications in sickle cell disease (SCD), such as stroke prevention, often necessitates the use of blood transfusions. However, individuals who adhere to the religious tenets of Jehovah's Witnesses strictly abstain from accepting blood transfusions, thereby presenting a formidable challenge in clinical decision-making.

CASE REPORT: This is a case of a 3 year old child Jehovah's Witness who was found to have significantly elevated transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocity values between 193 and 203 cm/s, following routine screening. This was an otherwise clinically stable child, whose mother was diligently ensuring he had adequate medical care. Ideally, a prophylactic exchange blood transfusion program would have been commenced immediately but was not done due to due to the lack of consent from the caregiver. Patient was initially on hydroxyurea at 15 mg/kg and self medicating on omega 3 supplements and astymin syrup. Further elevation of TCD velocity upto 242 cm/s after a repeat testing, necessitated graduated increase of the dosage of hydroxyurea to 35 mg/kg to optimize its therapeutic effect, and discontinuation of omega 3 fatty acids and replacement of astymin with folic acid, vitamin C and B complex. Following these adjustments, the TCD dropped to below 190 cm/s reducing the risk of stroke in the child.

CONCLUSION

This case report demonstrates the successful implementation of a bloodless management strategy for stroke prevention in a Jehovah's Witness child with SCD. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing valuable insights and practical guidance for healthcare providers facing similar ethical and medical dilemmas.