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Fever in young children with sickle cell disease
The Journal of Pediatrics
|February 1, 1980
Summary
Fever in children with sickle cell disease can indicate serious infections like septicemia and meningitis. Prompt antibiotic treatment for febrile episodes in these children is crucial for preventing mortality and morbidity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) poses a significant risk for severe bacterial infections, including septicemia and meningitis, in young children.
- These infections are leading causes of mortality in pediatric SCD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate febrile episodes in children with sickle cell disease.
- To assess the incidence of infectious diseases and treatment outcomes in this high-risk population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted on 22 children with sickle cell disease identified at birth.
- 182 febrile episodes were monitored, with intravenous antibiotics administered for fevers >39.5°C pending blood culture results.
Main Results:
- Infectious diseases were identified in 38% of febrile events.
- Six episodes of bacterial septicemia, including two cases of meningitis, were successfully treated.
- No mortality or residual morbidity was observed in the treated cases.
Conclusions:
- Prompt management of fever in young children with sickle cell disease is essential.
- Intravenous antibiotic therapy for febrile episodes can effectively prevent severe outcomes like mortality and morbidity.