title: Duration of penicillin prophylaxis in sickle cell anemia: issues and controversies.
abstract: Functional asplenia occurs in 94% of patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia by 5 years of age and may result in fatal septicemia due to encapsulated microorganisms such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Penicillin prophylaxis in these patients significantly reduces the risk of septicemia; however, continuation of prophylaxis beyond 5 years of age is controversial, since the risk of developing septicemia is reduced after this age and prolonged prophylaxis may lead to emergence of penicillin resistance. Although reports of penicillin-resistant pneumococci in patients receiving penicillin prophylaxis are conflicting, the prevalence of these organisms in the general population in North America increased from 5% in 1989 to more than 35% in 1997. Discontinuation of prophylaxis after age 5 years may be recommended because of lack of benefit, difficulty maintaining compliance, reduced risk of developing pneumococcal bacteremia after that age, and increase in prevalence of penicillin-resistant pneumococci worldwide.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Idaho State University, Boise, USA.
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Nahata
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010403:Penicillin Resistance; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins