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Use of hydroxyurea in pediatrics with sickle cell anemia
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| Author:
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ELHAM ALSHAMMARI, ANFAL ALSHAMMARI
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| Abstract:
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Sickle cell disease SCD is a genetic hematological disorder affecting over 300,000 births every year. The impact of this disease is mostly felt in the low- and middle-income countries. Where SCD is present, the red blood cells change from their smooth donut shape to a structure similar to a crescent or half-moon. Hydroxyurea has a number of characteristics that make it useful in the treatment of sickle cell anemia. Besides, the drug has a number of mechanisms of action which can be useful in therapy. While hydroxyurea has mostly been used in adults, the FDA approved its use in reducing the frequency of painful crises and the need for blood transfusion among pediatric patients beginning from 21st December 2017. Based on the approval, the drug can be used in pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia SCA ranging from 2 years of age and above. The approval is the first from the FDA allowing the use of hydroxyurea in pediatric patients diagnosed with SCD. Based on this update, the goal of this paper was to review recent studies (2018 onwards) that have examined the use of hydroxyurea among pediatric patients diagnosed with SCA. The outcome of the review revealed that hydroxyurea was safe and had superior clinical efficacy when used among children with SCA. The drug led to fewer adverse events related to SCD and reduced vaso-occlusive pain crises, occurrences of pneumonia or acute chest syndrome, transfusions, as well as hospitalizations. More clinical studies should be carried out in sub-Saharan Africa since many cases of SCA among pediatrics are reported in this region.
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| Keyword:
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Children, Hydroxyurea; Pediatric; Sickle cell anemia; Sickle cell disease.
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| EOI:
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-
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| DOI:
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https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2021.13.01.093
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| Download:
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