Open AccessAcute chest syndrome and COVID‐19 in hydroxyurea naïve sickle cell disease patient in a low resource setting
Author(s) -
Mawalla William Frank,
Nasser Ahlam,
Jingu James Salumu,
Joseph Happiness,
Mmbaga Lilian Gasper,
Shija Eunice,
Kakumbula Helena,
Lubuva Neema Budodi,
Meda Collins,
Chamba Clara
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ejhaem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2688-6146
DOI - 10.1002/jha2.397
Subject(s) - acute chest syndrome , medicine , disease , haemolysis , intensive care medicine , pleural effusion , pediatrics , sickle cell anemia , immunology
Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a severe complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) and one of the leading causes of mortality in SCD patients. The management of ACS is challenging and requires prompt intervention to halt clinical deterioration. With the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, which also primarily results in acute respiratory illness, the clinical picture and treatment outcome in SCD patients with ACS remain unknown. We present a case of a 30‐year‐old male who came in with features of painful vaso‐occlusive episode and haemolysis that later evolved to acute chest syndrome. Chest X‐ray showed pneumonic changes and mild bilateral pleural effusion, and nasal Reverse Transcription‐Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT‐PCR) for COVID‐19 test came out positive. He was managed supportively with simple transfusion, antibiotics, dexamethasone and oxygen support with a good clinical outcome. Presenting with non‐specific symptoms and similar respiratory symptoms and signs, the clinical picture of COVID‐19 can prove difficult to discern from that of ACS due to other causes. This report emphasizes a need for a higher index of suspicion whenever a SCD patient presents with symptoms of acute respiratory distress.