

The procedure usually uses a matched donor, such as a sibling, who doesn't have sickle cell anemia.īecause of the risks associated with a bone marrow transplant, including death, the procedure is recommended only for people, usually children, who have significant symptoms and complications of sickle cell anemia. Also known as bone marrow transplant, this procedure involves replacing bone marrow affected by sickle cell anemia with healthy bone marrow from a donor. Because excess iron can damage your heart, liver and other organs, you might need treatment to reduce iron levels if you undergo regular transfusions. Risks include an immune response to the donor blood, which can make it hard to find future donors infection and excess iron buildup in your body.

This increases the number of normal red blood cells, which helps reduce symptoms and complications. In a red blood cell transfusion, red blood cells are removed from a supply of donated blood, then given through a vein to a person with sickle cell anemia. These are used to treat and prevent complications, such as stroke, in people with sickle cell disease. Vaccines are also important for adults with sickle cell anemia.ĭuring the COVID 19 pandemic, people with sickle cell anemia should take extra precautions, such as staying isolated at home as much as possible and for those who are eligible, getting vaccinated.īlood transfusions. Your child's doctor should ensure that your child receives all the recommended childhood vaccinations, as well as vaccines against pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis B and an annual flu shot. They're even more important for children with sickle cell anemia because their infections can be severe. Doing so helps prevent infections, such as pneumonia, which can be life-threatening to children with sickle cell anemia.Īdults who have sickle cell anemia might need to take penicillin throughout their lives if they've had pneumonia or surgery to remove the spleen.Ĭhildhood vaccinations are important for preventing disease in all children. Your doctor might prescribe narcotics to help relieve pain during sickle cell pain crises.Ĭhildren with sickle cell anemia might receive penicillin between the ages of about 2 months old until at least age 5 years. Side effects can include headache, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, rash and fever. Taken orally, this drug can lower the risk of anemia and improve blood flow throughout the body.

This drug is used to treat sickle cell disease in adults and children older than 12. Side effects can include nausea, joint pain, back pain and fever. This drug, given by injection, can help reduce the frequency of pain crises in adults and children older than 16. It helps in reducing the frequency of pain crises. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved this drug for treatment of sickle cell anemia. But it can increase the risk of infections. Daily hydroxyurea reduces the frequency of painful crises and might reduce the need for blood transfusions and hospitalizations.
