Children with sickle cell disease may experience nocturnal hypoxemia even without sleep apnea.

Key Findings

Retrospective study reviewed 81 pediatric SCD patients referred for polysomnography to explore factors associated with nocturnal hypoxemia (NH), independent of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

  • Purpose – To identify clinical and laboratory correlates of NH in pediatric SCD, given the known complications associated with NH in SCD.
  • Population – Children with SCD referred for polysomnography.
  • Headline result – NH occurred even in children without OSA. Significant associations of NH were found with lower hemoglobin, higher reticulocyte count, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower oxygen saturation.
  • Why it matters – NH may serve as a non-invasive biomarker indicating a subgroup at higher risk, prompting early intervention.
  • Evidence gaps – Single-center, retrospective data. Larger multicenter and prospective studies are needed to identify associations, causes, and predictors, and treatment guidelines for NH in this population.

Source: Journal of Sickle Cell Disease – Correlates of nocturnal hypoxemia in children with sickle cell disease

Regulatory & Guideline Watch

Current SCD guidelines (e.g., ASH 2020, NHLBI) emphasize chronic anemia and vaso-occlusive risk management but do not address nocturnal hypoxemia specifically. As evidence emerges, incorporating NH screening into clinical practice could inform preventive care protocols in pediatric SCD.