Impaired cerebrovascular reactivity in pediatric sickle cell disease using diffuse correlation spectroscopy

Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR), defined as the ability of cerebral vasculature to dilate in response to a vasodilatory stimulus, is an integral mechanism in brain homeostasis that is thought to be impaired in sickle cell disease (SCD). This study used diffuse correlation spectroscopy and a simple breath-hold stimulus to quantify CVR non-invasively in a cohort of 12 children with SCD and 14 controls. Median [interquartile range] CVR was significantly decreased in SCD compared to controls (2.03 [1.31, 2.44] versus 3.49 [3.00, 4.11] %/mmHg, p = 0.028). These results suggest DCS may provide a feasible means to routinely monitor CVR impairments in pediatric SCD.