Trusted Resources: Evidence & Education
Scientific literature and patient education texts
Sickle Cell Disease in Children: Care Instructions
source: Healthwise
year: 2017
summary/abstract:Sickle cell disease turns normal, round red blood cells into misshaped cells that look like sickles or crescent moons. The sickle-shaped cells can get stuck in blood vessels, blocking blood flow and causing severe pain. The sickle-shaped cells also can harm organs, muscles, and bones. It is a lifelong condition that causes anemia and puts your child at risk for bacterial infections. Sickle cell disease is passed down in families. Your doctor also may recommend that other family members get tested for sickle cell disease. Your doctor may treat your child with medicines. Some children get blood transfusions or a bone marrow transplant. Managing pain and preventing bacterial infections are important parts of your child’s treatment. Follow-up care is a key part of your child’s treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if your child is having problems. It’s also a good idea to know your child’s test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
read moreRelated Content
-
Sickle Cell Disease: Racism in the American Health Care SystemWednesday, June 28 1-4 pm EDT Massachu...
-
The association of smartphone-based activity space measures with cognitive functioning and pain sickle cell diseaseIndividuals living with sickle cell dise...
-
Constance Benson Cured of Sickle Cell, Speaking at Sickle Cell Disease & Gene Editing Briefing in DChttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROtPSLJl...
-
How organ and tissue transplants can affect buying life insuranceEach day in the United States, about 80 ...
-
Adulting is especially difficult for youth with special health care needsThere are approximately 4.3 million adol...
-
Fear, Anger, SCD and #BLACKLIVESMATTERJune 10, 2020 at 6pm Eastern Time Sessi...
-
Siri saves sick girl from Harvey floodwatersStranded outside in the rising waters of...
To improve your experience on this site, we use cookies. This includes cookies essential for the basic functioning of our website, cookies for analytics purposes, and cookies enabling us to personalize site content. By clicking on 'Accept' or any content on this site, you agree that cookies can be placed. You may adjust your browser's cookie settings to suit your preferences. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.