infection in sickle cell disease
Last reviewed 01/2018
Bacterial infections are responsible for a majority of morbidity and mortality in children with SCD.
The following factors are thought to increase the susceptibility of affected children:
- splenic hypofunction
- defects in complement activation
- deficiencies of micronutrient
- tissue ischaemia (1)
The common pathogens include:
- Pneumococcus
- Streptococcus pnumoniae sepsis is the commonest cause of death in children with SCD
- vaccination and prophylactic penicillin can be used for prevention (2)
- Haemophilus
- immunisation has reduced the risk of infection significantly
- Salmonella (1)
Reference: