What common complication can occur in sickle cell anemia associated with vaso-occlusive crisis?

In sickle cell anemia, vaso-occlusive crises occur when sickle-shaped red blood cells obstruct blood flow in small vessels, leading to a range of complications. One of the hallmark manifestations of a vaso-occlusive crisis is painful swelling of the hands and feet, known as dactylitis. This swelling results from the blockage of blood flow, which causes tissue ischemia and inflammation. The intense pain and swelling in the extremities can be distressing for patients and is a direct consequence of the vaso-occlusive phenomenon characteristic of this disorder.

The other options, while they can occur in individuals with sickle cell anemia, are not specifically direct results of vaso-occlusive crises. For instance, pneumonia may be a risk due to splenic dysfunction in sickle cell patients but is not an immediate complication of a vaso-occlusive event. Stroke can certainly occur in patients with sickle cell anemia, particularly due to the increased risk of cerebral vaso-occlusion, but it is not the most immediate manifestation associated with a vaso-occlusive crisis. Finally, hyperglycemia is not typically linked to sickle cell anemia and vaso-occlusive crises; it relates more to diabetic conditions rather than complications arising from sickle cell pathology.