What is a common complication seen in children with sickle cell disease?

Children with sickle cell disease commonly experience pneumonia due to their increased susceptibility to infections. Sickle cell disease affects the structure and function of red blood cells, leading to sickling episodes that can block blood vessels and impair blood flow. This not only decreases oxygen delivery to tissues but also can damage the spleen, an organ essential for fighting infections. The compromised splenic function increases the risk of infections from encapsulated organisms, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae, making pneumonia a prevalent complication in these children.

While hip dysplasia, hyperactivity, and asthma may occur in children for various reasons, they are not direct complications associated specifically with sickle cell disease. Instead, pneumonia is a direct consequence of the disease's impact on the immune system.