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Medication Utilization Among Children With Sickle Cell Disease in the United States

Abiodun John Ologunowa1, Kelly L Matson1,2, Jung Eun Lee3

  • 1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|May 15, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Medication use in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) has changed significantly, with increased hydroxyurea and NSAID prescriptions, and shifts in opioid use. These trends reflect evolving treatment guidelines and management strategies for SCD in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Medication management for pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) is not well-documented, particularly after the 2014 NHLBI guidelines.
  • Understanding medication utilization trends is crucial for optimizing care in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess medication utilization trends in children with SCD.
  • To analyze these trends by patient demographics following the 2014 NHLBI SCD treatment guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of de-identified electronic health data from 2010-2018.
  • Included children aged 1-17 years diagnosed with SCD.
  • Joinpoint regression used to assess changes in medication use over time, stratified by demographics.

Main Results:

  • Hydroxyurea prescriptions increased annually (8.8%), indicating better adherence to disease-modifying strategies.
  • Opioid prescribing shifted towards oxycodone and away from acetaminophen-codeine.
  • NSAID use increased annually (4.0%), suggesting a move towards alternative pain management.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric SCD management is dynamic, with observed shifts in medication use since 2014.
  • Continuous evaluation of guideline adherence, medication effectiveness, and safety is needed.
  • Optimizing clinical outcomes requires ongoing assessment of treatment strategies for children with SCD.
Abstract

Keywords:
hydroxyureaopioidspediatricssickle cell disease

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