Sickle Cell: Stroke

Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.

Clinical Pathway:

• Sickle Cell Disease: Stroke – ED/Inpatient Algorithm
• Sickle Cell Disease: Stroke – PICU/Inpatient Algorithm
• Sickle Cell Disease: Stroke Synopsis (provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway)

Inclusion criteria:

• Child diagnosed with sickle cell disease
• Presents with signs or symptoms of a suspected stroke

Note. If the child is known to Children’s Mercy Kansas City, review the Critical Information note and type of SCD (HbSS and HbSβ⁰ thalassemia have a higher risk of stroke than HbSC or HbSβ+) 

Committee members involved in the development:

• Shabnam Arsiwala, MD, FAAP | Hematology/Oncology/BMT | Committee Co-Chair
• Jay Rilinger, MD | Critical Care Medicine | Committee Co-Chair
• Celeste Tarantino, MD | Pediatric Emergency Medicine | Committee Member
• Marcie Files, MD | Neurology | Committee Member
• Lejla Music Aplenc, MD |Pathology and Laboratory Medicine |Committee Member
• Cherie Scanlon Burroughs, RN, BSN, CPN |Therapeutic Apheresis Services | Committee Member
• Sarah Dierking, MSN, RN, CPHQ | Clinical Practice and Quality | Committee Member
• Jennifer Flint, MD | Critical Care Medicine, Pediatric Critical Care Transport | Contributor

EBP Committee Members:

• Todd Glenski, MD, MSHA, FASA | Anesthesiology, Evidence Based Practice
• Kelli Ott, OTD, OTR/L | Evidence Based Practice

Publication dates:

• Finalized date: 03/2025
• Next expected revision date: 03/2028

Concerns with content:

If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu. 

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.