ESPE Abstracts

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) leads to chronic end organ damage including the thyroid gland. This is postulated to be due to recurrent hemolysis leading to iron overload, vaso-occlusive crises, micro-vasculature obstruction due to red cell entrapment and frequent transfusions. Some studies have demonstrated a relationship between hypothyroidism and SCA with a prevalence of 6% in children and adolescents. Hypothyroidism may affect brain and physical deve...