Hypertension and convulsions complicating sickle cell anaemia: possible role of transfusion.

Three children with sickle cell disease who had various combinations of severe hypertension, convulsion, and cerebral haemorrhage are presented. One child had elevated plasma renin activity while another had elevated 24-h urinary catecholamines. The aetiology of hypertension in sickle cell disease seems to be multifactorial. Recognition of this serious complication of sickle cell disease is important not only to avoid its consequences but also to avoid potentially dangerous diagnostic procedures.