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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Outcome of children with sickle cell disease admitted to intensive care - a single institution experience

Jack L Bartram1, Swee L Thein, Kate Gardner

  • 1Department of Paediatric Haematology, King's College London School of Medicine, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK. jack.bartram@nhs.net

British Journal of Haematology
|June 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Mortality for pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) is low. Acute chest syndrome was the most frequent reason for PICU admission, with most patients requiring blood transfusions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Hematology
  • Sickle Cell Disease

Background:

  • Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder requiring specialized care.
  • Pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) manage critically ill children, including those with SCD.
  • Understanding SCD patient outcomes in the PICU is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To audit outcomes of children with SCD admitted to the PICU.
  • To identify common reasons for PICU admission and treatments received.
  • To assess the overall mortality rate for pediatric SCD patients in the PICU.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective audit of pediatric intensive care admissions.
  • Data collected from King's College Hospital between January 2000 and December 2008.
  • Analysis of patient demographics, admission reasons, treatments, and outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Forty-six children with SCD were admitted to the PICU on 49 occasions.
  • The median age was 7.6 years, ranging from 4 months to 15 years.
  • Acute chest syndrome was the most common reason for admission (43%).
  • 88% of admissions required blood transfusions, with 74% receiving exchange transfusions.
  • Overall PICU mortality was 6%, with 2 deaths occurring upon hospital presentation in cardiorespiratory arrest.

Conclusions:

  • The mortality rate for children with SCD admitted to the PICU is low.
  • Prompt medical intervention, including blood transfusions, is vital for managing SCD complications.
  • Further research into specific interventions for acute chest syndrome in SCD patients is warranted.

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