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Mobile Optical System for Stroke Risk Screening in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease in Uganda

Award Number: R21TW013255
ORGANIZATION: FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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Mobile Optical System for Stroke Risk Screening in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease in Uganda - Stroke is a life-threatening complication for children with sickle cell disease (SCD), particularly in low-resource countries where early detection and prevention efforts are limited. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) is the current standard for identifying children at high risk, but it is expensive, requires trained specialists, and is not widely available in Uganda. As a result, many children at risk of stroke remain undiagnosed, leading to preventable disability or death. This project aims to develop and test a portable, affordable screening tool that uses an optical technique to measure brain blood flow and oxygenation, providing an alternative for early stroke risk detection. By integrating this device with a mobile health (mHealth) system, we will enable real-time data sharing, remote consultation, and improved healthcare access. To ensure long-term sustainability, we will establish an mHealth Center at Kumi University to train healthcare workers and IT specialists in using and maintaining the technology. In the R21 phase, we will develop and refine the optical screening tool and assess its feasibility in pilot studies at Mulago National Referral Hospital (urban) and Atutur General Hospital (rural) in Uganda. In the R33 phase, we will enhance the technology based on initial findings and conduct a larger-scale clinical study to validate its ability to identify children at risk of stroke. The study will also evaluate how an mHealth-enabled screening network can support stroke prevention and capacity building in low-resource settings. Uganda provides a unique and scientifically necessary setting with high pediatric sickle cell disease burden and limited access to standardized stroke screening using TCD. Prevention strategies are not consistently guided by established protocols, enabling rigorous evaluation of device performance across a broader physiological range than is typically observed in U.S. clinical settings. This project will provide a low-cost, scalable solution for stroke prevention in pediatric SCD. This work will also directly benefit American health, as children with SCD in the United States continue to face limited access to TCD-based screening (access rate of ~50%). A portable, low-cost alternative could expand access in community and resource-limited clinical settings. Additionally, the data collected will support a future clinical trial, advancing stroke prevention strategies applicable to both U.S. and international populations.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $179,988 )
2026	2026	KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY	1000 CHASTAIN RD NW	KENNESAW	GA	30144	COBB	USA	International Research and Research Training	000	1	9/8/2026	NEW	$179,988
														Subtotal = $179,988

Grand Total All Awards = $179,988

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Mobile Optical System for Stroke Risk Screening in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease in Uganda

Award Number: R21TW013255

ORGANIZATION: FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/15/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2028

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