Sickle Cell Anemia Drug Safe and Effective for Infants and Toddlers

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110512214501.htm

ScienceDaily (May 12, 2011) — New research shows a drug commonly used to treat sickle cell anemia in adults reduces bouts of acute pain and a pneumonia-like illness, cuts hospitalization time and eases other symptoms of the disease in young patients. Results of the randomized, double-blind trial mark a dramatic advance in treatment of children with the inherited blood disorder.

"These results show that hydroxyurea has the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life for an entire generation of patients with sickle cell disease," said Winfred Wang, M.D., the study's principal investigator and a member of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Department of Hematology. He said the findings mean hydroxyurea should now be considered for treatment of all infant and toddlers with sickle cell anemia in hopes of preventing or delaying disease complications. The research will be published in the May 14 issue of the British medical journal The Lancet.


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