Effect of hydroxyurea on growth in children with sickle cell anemia: results of the HUG-KIDS Study.
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.
Wang
Winfred C
WC
Hematology Division, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
Helms
Ronald W
RW
Lynn
Henry S
HS
Redding-Lallinger
Rupa
R
Gee
Beatrice E
BE
Ohene-Frempong
Kwaku
K
Smith-Whitley
Kim
K
Waclawiw
Myron A
MA
Vichinsky
Elliott P
EP
Styles
Lori A
LA
Ware
Russell E
RE
Kinney
Thomas R
TR
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*
D000986:Antisickling Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea