Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Sickle cell disease and HIV: a case highlighting management challenges for children in a resource-limited setting
Esther Brenda Odera1, Charles Kwobah, Geren Stone
1Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya.
Insights
Managing sickle cell disease (SCD) and HIV in children is challenging. A Kenyan girl with SCD and HIV experienced a severe reaction to antiretroviral therapy (ART), highlighting limited treatment options.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder causing chronic anemia and severe complications.
- Co-infection with HIV in children with SCD presents complex management challenges, especially in resource-limited settings.
Observation:
- This case report details an 18-month-old Kenyan girl diagnosed with both SCD and HIV.
- The child experienced a severe hypersensitivity reaction to the initial first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Findings:
- Choosing an alternative ART regimen was difficult due to side effect profiles, accessibility issues, and national guidelines.
- The case underscores the scarcity of pediatric treatment options and data for co-infected patients.
Implications:
- This highlights an urgent need for more research into safe and effective ART regimens for children with SCD and HIV.
- Improved treatment guidelines and drug accessibility are crucial for managing this vulnerable pediatric population.
Abstract:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder resulting from a mutation in the hemoglobin (Hb) gene. Sickle cell disease results in chronic anemia and a variety of acute and chronic complications that can lead to early mortality. A child with both SCD and HIV presents a management challenge, particularly in a resource-limited setting. In this case report, we describe the case of an 18-month-old Kenyan girl with SCD and HIV who developed a severe hypersensitivity reaction to first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Selecting an appropriate drug substitute for a child with SCD and HIV presents a management dilemma when the available options have problematic side effect profiles or are inaccessible or inappropriate according to national guidelines. The challenges in choosing an appropriate ART regimen for a child with SCD and HIV highlight the lack of data and scarcity of treatment options for pediatric patients.
Related Concept Videos
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Cystic Fibrosis: Management
Sinus disease and chronic...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Retrovirus Life Cycles

