Preventing strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia
Stroke Prevention in Nigeria: SPRING 2
This project gives hydroxyurea to children in Nigeria who have sickle cell anemia and high brain blood-flow readings to try to prevent a first stroke.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10917306 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would enroll if your child has sickle cell anemia and an abnormal transcranial Doppler (TCD) blood-flow test, and they would receive hydroxyurea with doctors watching for strokes, pain crises, and hospital visits. The trial is open-label and single-arm, meaning all enrolled children will get hydroxyurea and clinicians will collect real-world safety and outcome data across several hospitals. The work builds on a prior randomized SPRING trial that showed much lower stroke rates with hydroxyurea than historical risks and suggested better pain and hospitalization outcomes with moderate dosing. The team aims to show the treatment works in routine care in multiple Nigerian centers and to make the approach practical for low-resource settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children (pediatric age range) with sickle cell anemia living in Nigeria who have abnormal transcranial Doppler velocities indicating high stroke risk are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children without sickle cell anemia, those with normal TCD readings, adults, or children already on chronic transfusion stroke-prevention programs are unlikely to benefit from joining this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could substantially lower first-stroke risk and reduce severe pain and hospitalizations for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria.
How similar studies have performed: Yes — the prior SPRING randomized trial showed hydroxyurea markedly reduced stroke incidence compared with historical rates and indicated moderate dosing also reduced severe pain and hospital stays.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Debaun, Michael R. — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Debaun, Michael R.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.