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Prophylactic antibiotics for preventing pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease
1Institute of Child Health, University of Liverpool, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Eaton Road, Liverpool, UK, L12 2AP. cerir@liverpool.ac.uk
Insights
Prophylactic penicillin significantly lowers the risk of pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease. This treatment is safe and effective, though further research is needed to determine the optimal age for discontinuing penicillin.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Children with sickle cell disease face a heightened risk of severe infections, particularly pneumococcal sepsis.
- Young children under three are especially vulnerable, with high incidence rates observed in studies.
- Standard vaccines may offer limited protection in this age group, necessitating alternative preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotic regimens in preventing pneumococcal infections in pediatric sickle cell disease patients.
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.
- Searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group specialist trials register.
- Independent data extraction and quality assessment by two reviewers.
Main Results:
- Three trials met inclusion criteria, involving children with sickle cell disease (SS or Sb0Thal).
- Prophylactic penicillin demonstrated a significant reduction in the risk of pneumococcal infection (OR=0.37).
- Adverse drug effects were infrequent and minor; infection rates were lower in children over five.
Conclusions:
- Prophylactic penicillin is highly effective in reducing pneumococcal infection risk in children with homozygous sickle cell disease.
- The treatment is well-tolerated with minimal adverse reactions.
- Further research is recommended to establish guidelines for the safe cessation of prophylactic penicillin therapy.
Background:
People with sickle cell disease are particularly susceptible to infection. Infants and very young children are especially vulnerable, and the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease observed an incidence rate of 10 per 100 patient years of pneumococcal septicaemia in children under the age of three. Vaccines, including customary pneumococcal vaccines, may be of limited use in this age group. Therefore, prophylactic penicillin regimes may be advisable for this population.
Objectives:
To assess the effects of prophylactic antibiotic regimes for preventing pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease.
Search Strategy:
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group specialist trials register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, hand searching relevant journals and hand searching abstract books of conference proceedings. Date of the most recent search: December 2001.
Selection Criteria:
All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing prophylactic antibiotics to prevent pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease with placebo, no treatment or a comparator drug.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Both reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.
Main Results:
Five trials were identified by the initial search, of which three trials met the inclusion criteria. All of the included trials showed a reduced risk of infection in children with sickle cell disease (SS or Sb0Thal) receiving prophylactic penicillin. For initiation of treatment the odds ratio was 0.37 (95% CI 0.16, 0.86), and for withdrawal OR= 0.49 (95% CI 0.09, 2.71). Adverse drug effects were rare and minor. Rates of pneumococcal infection were found to be relatively low in children over the age of five.
Reviewer'S Conclusions:
Prophylactic penicillin significantly reduces risk of pneumococcal infection in children with homozygous sickle cell disease, and is associated with minimal adverse reactions. Further research may help to determine the ideal age to safely withdraw penicillin.