Treatment for children with severe aplastic anemia and sickle cell disease in low income countries in Latin America: a report on the recent meetings of the Monza International School of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (MISPHO): Part III.
Treatment of hematologic disorders in low-income countries (LIC) is difficult. This report summarizes treatment of sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia by pediatric hematologists from 15 LIC who participate in the Monza International School of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (MISPHO). Patients with severe sickle cell disease were treated with low dose hydroxyurea, which safely reduced vaso-occlusive crises. Patients with severe aplastic anemia fared poorly due to lack of availability and high cost of anti-thymocyte globulin and cyclosporine and lack of access to stem cell transplantation. Appropriate therapy was most likely to occur in MISPHO centers with an active twinning program with a center in a high-income country.
Howard
Scott C
SC
International Outreach Program and Department of Hematology/Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA. Scott.howard@stjude.org
Wilimas
Judy A
JA
Flores
Andronica
A
Pacheco
C
C
de Reyes
Gladis
G
Machin
Sergio
S
Svarch
Eva
E
Navarrete
Marta
M
Nieves
Rosa
R
Rodriguez
Hilze
H
Masera
Giuseppe
G
D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000628:therapy*; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003906:Developing Countries; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007391:International Cooperation; D007843:Latin America
D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D016572:Cyclosporine; D006918:Hydroxyurea