B - 102 Neurocognitive Functioning of Patients Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease in Low-to-Middle Income Countries

Abstract Objective Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a monogenic blood disorder affecting the production of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to all vital organs in the body. As a result, insufficient oxygen delivery and cerebrovascular complications often occur which can affect neurocognitive performance. In low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC) where health care and treatment of the disease are harder to access, there is minimal neurocognitive surveillance. Our research aim was to evaluate the neurocognitive impact of SCD in children living in LMIC and establish which neurocognitive assessment measures are commonly used in SCD samples worldwide. Data Selection To analyze this, a librarian created search terms in studies from Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Global Health CABI, ERIC, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Studies that focused on participants with SCD of any genotype with a measure for cognitive/academic outcomes were included while commentaries and editorials were excluded. Two research assistants screened 1831 abstracts in Covidence, 52 abstracts were chosen for full-text review, and 18 articles were ultimately included for data extraction. Data Synthesis A systematic review was used to analyze these studies. Most of the studies were conducted in African and Middle Eastern countries and Brazil. Common measures included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children or Adults. Information regarding cultural or language adaptations of neurocognitive measures was rarely reported. Several of the studies demonstrated that individuals with SCD have lower neurocognitive functioning compared to a non-SCD control group. Conclusion Further research is needed regarding the validity of neurocognitive measures used in LMIC among patients diagnosed with SCD.