Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
08:23

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry

Published on: November 5, 2019

Asthma morbidity and treatment in children with sickle cell disease

Samuel O Anim1, Robert C Strunk, Michael R DeBaun

  • 1Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine
|September 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and asthma face more pain episodes, acute chest syndrome, and mortality. Asthma is common in these children, requiring hematologists to integrate asthma care for better outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Pulmonology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) in children presents significant health challenges.
  • Comorbid asthma exacerbates SCD complications, including vaso-occlusive pain and acute chest syndrome.
  • Increased all-cause mortality is observed in pediatric SCD patients with coexisting asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the increased risks associated with comorbid asthma in children with SCD.
  • To emphasize the need for increased awareness and management of asthma in pediatric SCD patients.
  • To advocate for a multidisciplinary approach in managing these complex cases.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic assessment of asthma prevalence in children with SCD.
  • Comparison of asthma prevalence with the general African-American population.
  • Review of clinical outcomes in pediatric SCD patients with and without asthma.

Main Results:

  • Asthma prevalence in children with SCD is comparable to the general African-American population.
  • Children with SCD and asthma experience more frequent vaso-occlusive pain and acute chest syndrome episodes.
  • Coexisting asthma is linked to higher all-cause mortality in pediatric SCD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Asthma is a significant comorbidity that worsens outcomes in children with SCD.
  • Hematologists need to be proficient in recognizing and managing asthma in SCD patients.
  • A multidisciplinary care model involving early recognition, management, and specialist referral is crucial for improving the health of children with SCD and asthma.

More Related Videos

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload05:23

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

Published on: March 14, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management

The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma-IV: Nursing Management01:30

Asthma-IV: Nursing Management

The nursing management of asthma is a comprehensive approach that relies heavily on the expertise and dedication of healthcare professionals. It involves thorough assessment, accurate diagnosis, strategic planning, effective implementation, and diligent evaluation. By meticulously following this step-by-step process, healthcare professionals play a crucial role in providing the best possible care and treatment for patients with asthma, enhancing their overall health and well-being.
First, in...
Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications01:24

Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications

Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...