title: [Infections and antibiotic prophylaxis in sickle cell disease].
abstract: Bacterial infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality among young children with sickle cell disease. Susceptibility to infections is mainly observed in homozygous sickle cell disease. The incidence of bacteremias in children under 3 years of age is approximately 8 events/100 patient-years among homozygous subjects and approximately S events/100 patient-years among those with SC hemoglobinopathy. Pneumococci and Salmonellae are the most frequently isolated bacteria. Severe clinical manifestations include septicemia, meningitis, osteomyelitis and pneumonia. M. Pneumoniae and C. Pneumoniae infections may be severe and may induce acute chest syndrome. The high incidence and severity of bacterial infections in these children justify prevention efforts by antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccination. The efficacy of oral penicillin prophylaxis against pneumococcal infections has been well demonstrated and is now recommended from 3 months of age. The antipneumococcal conjugate vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in young infants.
authors.affiliation: Département Universitaire de Pédiatrie, CHU-CHR, ULg, Liège. philippe.lepage@chrcitadelle.be
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lepage
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dresse
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Forget
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoyoux
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines