Periodic erythroexchange is an effective strategy for high risk paediatric patients with sickle-cell disease.
We performed an 11 year retrospective study on 34 sickle-cell paediatric patients, focusing on efficacy, safety and costs of an exchange transfusion program in 13 high risk patients. A good clinical control with improvement in patients' quality of life, no disease related complications, no significant iron overload and no procedure related side effects were observed during periodic erythroexchange. Costs of periodic erythroexchange versus chronic transfusion regimen were comparable. Periodic erythroexchange appeared a good alternative to chronic transfusion regimen for controlling the most severe forms of disease, particularly in patients who do not tolerate or do not respond to hydroxyurea.
Clinica Pediatrica, Università di Milano-Bicocca, Ospedale San Gerardo, Via Pergolesi 33, Monza 20052, Italy. nicoletta.masera@hsgerardo.org
Nicoletta
N
Masera
Luisa
L
Tavecchia
Lorena
L
Pozzi
Francesca
F
Riva
Chiara
C
Vimercati
Manuela
M
Calabria
Simona
S
Ronzoni
Giuseppe
G
Masera
Paolo
P
Perseghin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000986:Antisickling Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea