DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i08.026

Pages: 1920-1922

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a severe haematological disorder with substantial morbidity and mortality. Hydroxyurea is a potent inducer of fetal haemoglobin, and the past evidence has documented its laboratory and clinical efficacy for both adults and children with SCA. Objectives: To study the effect of hydroxyurea on frequency of blood transfusion in sickle cell anemia over a period of 6 months. Material and methods: A cohort study was carried out on 50 children with sickle cell anemia at Department of Pediatrics, MGM Medical College Indore from November 2018 to November 2019. Patients with sickle cell anemia between 2 to 14 years were included in this study. Effect of hydroxyurea was analyzed on frequency of blood transfusion and hospitalization in patients with sickle cell anemia. Results: 18% patients became transfusion free post HU therapy. HU leads to a significant reduction in rates of blood transfusion and hospitalization Conclusion: HU is efficacious in children with SCD and leads to a significant reduction in frequency of blood transfusion and hospitalization and thus improves the quality of life.