Transcranial Doppler screening for stroke risk in children with sickle cell disease: a systematic review:

BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common causes of stroke in children worldwide. Based on the results of the Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia (STOP), annual transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) screening for affected children is standard practice. However, the need for TCD surveillance programs could override the accuracy of the screening, affecting the correct stratification of stroke risk and subsequent clinical management of the target population.AimsTo shed light on this issue, a systematic review of the literature on TCD screening for children and adolescents with SCD was carried out (CRD42016050549), according to a list of clinically relevant questions, with a particular focus on screening practices in European countries. Quality of the evidence was rated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development and evaluation.Summary of reviewThirty-three studies published in English or French were included (5 randomized controlled trials, 8 experimental non-ra...