Sherron Jackson, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics, has been treating children with sickle cell disease for years. And yet, after all that time, she is still visibly moved when she recounts the tales of young patients who suffered one of sickle cell’s most dangerous symptoms: stroke.

“You never really forget children like the little boy whose mother called to say he was going into crisis, and she was bringing him in,” said Jackson. “She did everything right, but the poor child still had a stroke somewhere between the car and the clinic door.”

For doctors engaged in the treatment and study of sickle cell blood diseases, instances like that have always been vexing. “Stroke has been completely unpredictable, and therefore unpreventable,” Jackson says. “And it leaves behind a child whose mind and body may never fully recover.”

But thanks to the work of Jackson and colleagues in the Pediatric Sickle Cell program here at the MUSC Children’s Hospital, strokes can now be predicted, and prevented, in children with sickle cell. These researchers recently participated in a national study to determine the value of Transcranial Doppler Screenings (a kind of ultra sound) in measuring blood velocity in a child’s brain. The screenings were found to be 90 percent effective in identifying the possible onset of a stroke. This thereby allows physicians to immediately move to prevent stroke-generally by placing their young patients in a blood transfusion program.

Recently, the center unveiled its new screening program whose aim is to make the painless, non-invasive screenings available to every affected child in the state. Funding has been provided by Hill-Rom Company Inc., a leading manufacturer of patient care products with manufacturing operations in North Charleston.

“We are proud to announce this new program, which will help prevent strokes for many South Carolina children,” said James B. Edwards, president of MUSC. “And we are grateful for Hill-Rom’s generous support, which has helped make this program possible.”

Mark Liebetrau, general manager, Long Term Care & Home Care, Hill Rom, participated in the announcement on Sept. 17, and noted the company’s long association with MUSC. “We at Hill-Rom are proud to be a part of the Charleston and South Carolina business community. And since we are dedicated to patient care and caregivers, we feel fortunate to team with MUSC’s Children’s Hospital on such a wonderful and important project as this. Thank you, MUSC, for allowing us to participate in this wonderful program.”

Transcranial Doppler Screening determines changes in the blood velocity within a child’s cranium. While subtle, these changes may signal stroke. The screenings are most effective on patients aged 2 to 16.

The Pediatric Sickle Cell Program is presently conducting regular screenings. In coming months, the Transcranial Doppler machine will “hit the road,” allowing physicians to screen South Carolina residents outside the metro-Charleston region.

Screenings can be arranged by calling the MUSC Health Connection at 792-1414.