We reviewed the clinical features of 100 cases of the sickle cell chest syndrome in 57
pediatric patients hospitalized with radiographic findings of pulmonary or pleural disease.
Pulmonary infiltration was more common in the lower lobes (86%) than in the upper (25%)
or middle lobes (22%). Pleural effusions were present in 38% of cases. Chest syndrome was
recognized on presentation in 79% of cases, but was recognized only later in 21% of
patients admitted for other indications. Patients recognized initially were more often febrile …