Stroke Prevention

Preventing young lives from stroke before it strikes through expert screening, continuous monitoring, and compassionate care.

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Stroke prevention screening session

The Hidden Threat

Stroke is one of the most serious and life-threatening complications of sickle cell disorder (SCD), especially in children between the ages of 2 and 16. Without early detection and proper monitoring, it can permanently affect a child's physical abilities, cognitive development, and overall quality of life. The SCFN Stroke Management / Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Unit was fully launched in 2011 to address the urgent need for structured stroke prevention within Nigeria's sickle cell community. Children with sickle cell disorder are particularly vulnerable due to abnormal blood flow in the brain, and the risk of recurrence is often more severe in those who have already experienced a stroke.

Clinical room and treatment bed for stroke prevention procedures.

What We Do About It

Our unit provides specialized stroke risk screening using Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound, a non-invasive technique that measures blood flow in the brain's major arteries. This simple, safe, and painless procedure takes about 30 minutes and helps identify children at high risk before symptoms occur. Our trained multidisciplinary team offers expert screening, preventive recommendations, and comprehensive consultations with caregivers, ensuring families understand the results and next steps.

Healthcare worker screening a child with transcranial Doppler support.

The Impact

Through early screening, continuous monitoring, and compassionate care, the SCFN Stroke Management / TCD Unit plays a vital role in protecting the lives and futures of children living with sickle cell disorder. Till date, we have conducted 32,932+ TCD procedures.

SCFN team presenting stroke-prevention equipment and impact milestones.