SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN THE COMMUNITY-MANAGEMENT.

[Anonymous]

CLINICAL REVIEW
Management of sickle cell disease in the community

Cite this as: BMJ 2014;348:g1765. 10TH APRIL 2014.

Summary points

All children with sickle cell disease should take penicillin twice a day until 5 years of age at least

Acute neurological symptoms in children and adults with sickle cell disease necessitate urgent referral to hospital

All patients should receive annual vaccination against influenza and other appropriate vaccinations where available

Patients living in most parts of Africa should use insecticide treated bed nets and take malarial prophylaxis

Children with severe types of sickle cell disease (HbSS and HbS/?0 thalassaemia) should be offered primary stroke prevention with annual transcranial Doppler scans and blood transfusion when resources allow this

Children and adults should be offered treatment with hydroxyurea if they have two or more episodes of severe acute pain in a year, or acute chest syndrome

Children, families, and adults should be offered education about sickle cell disease and managing its complications.

G Mohan.

[Author]

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