Hand-foot syndrome, also simply referred to as dactylitis, is a self-limiting manifestation of a vaso-occlusive crisis in individuals with sickle cell anaemia.
On this page:
Terminology
Dactylitis is not a specific finding in sickle cell disease, therefore cautious usage is advised if one chooses to employ it as a synonym for hand-foot syndrome.
Epidemiology
Children from 6 months to 3 years of age are usually affected 1.
Clinical presentation
Hand-foot syndrome is usually seen in the setting of systemic symptoms of fever and elevated white cell count 1. It is characterised by swelling of the hands and feet, particularly over the dorsal aspects 1. It can be unilateral or bilateral.
Features are difficult to distinguish from infection especially if localised (e.g. salmonella) 2.
Disambiguation
Hand-foot syndrome in sickle cell disease should not be confused with: