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Asthma in children with sickle cell disease
Shaina M Willen1, Mark Rodeghier2, Michael R DeBaun3
1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, San Francisco, California.
Insights
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) often show asthma-like symptoms. Further research is needed to understand if this is true asthma or a related lung condition in SCD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Allergy and Immunology
Background:
- Asthma is frequently observed in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), correlating with increased illness.
- Healthcare providers question whether asthma is a true comorbidity or an asthma-like phenotype in children with SCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of asthma in children with SCD.
- To differentiate between true asthma and asthma-like symptoms in this population.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical signs and symptoms in children with SCD.
- Analysis of lung function and inflammatory markers.
Main Results:
- Children with SCD exhibit asthma-like symptoms such as wheezing, airway hyperresponsiveness, and abnormal lung function, regardless of an asthma diagnosis.
- These symptoms are present both in children with and without a formal asthma diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Lung disease in children with SCD has significant implications, irrespective of its origin.
- Further research is essential for developing effective interventions to prevent complications in children with SCD and pulmonary issues.
Purpose Of Review:
Asthma is common in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and appears to be associated with increased morbidity. Providers caring for children with SCD have struggled with the question of whether asthma exists as a true comorbidity or whether certain aspects of the chronic inflammatory disease gives children with SCD an asthma-like phenotype.
Recent Findings:
Clinical signs and symptoms seen in children with asthma in the general population, such as wheezing, airway hyperresponsiveness, atopy, elevated leukotrienes, and abnormal lung function are seen in children with SCD both with and without a diagnosis of asthma.
Summary:
Current evidence highlights that the presence of lung disease in children with SCD has significant implications irrespective of the underlying cause, including asthma. Further research should focus on well tolerated and effective interventions to prevent disease-related complications for children with pulmonary complications of SCD.
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