title: Effect of hydroxyurea on growth in children with sickle cell anemia: results of the HUG-KIDS Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although hydroxyurea is effective in treating adults with sickle-cell anemia (SCA), there is concern that it may adversely affect growth in children. We report the growth characteristics of patients in the Phase I-II pediatric hydroxyurea trial (HUG-KIDS) before and during treatment at the maximum tolerated dose for one year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children and adolescents with SCA (n = 68), aged 5 to 16 years at baseline, reached the maximum tolerated dose and had serial height, weight, and Tanner stage measurements. Data from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease (CSSCD) were used for comparison. Mixed-effects models were used to compare serial measurements as a function of age and group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In girls, there were no significant differences in height or weight among the pretreatment, on-treatment, and CSSCD groups. Compared with the CSSCD group, HUG-KIDS boys were heavier starting at age 9 years, and pretreatment HUG-KIDS boys were taller starting at age 7 years. The Tanner stage transitions took place at appropriate ages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydroxyurea treatment had no adverse effect on height or weight gain or pubertal development in school-aged children with SCA.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Division, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
authors.forename: Winfred C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ronald W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Helms
authors.forename: Henry S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: Rupa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Redding-Lallinger
authors.forename: Beatrice E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Gee
authors.forename: Kwaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohene-Frempong
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smith-Whitley
authors.forename: Myron A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Waclawiw
authors.forename: Elliott P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Vichinsky
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Styles
authors.forename: Russell E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Kinney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017321:Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000986:Antisickling Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea