What Special Problems Do Babies and Young Children With Sickle Cell Disease Have?
Infants and young children with sickle cell disease are especially vulnerable to severe bacterial infections, such as those that cause meningitis and blood infection (septicemia). Infections are the leading cause of death in children with sickle cell disease. However, early diagnosis and treatment dramatically reduce the risk of infections and death. In 1987, a National Institutes of Health panel recommended that all babies be screened at birth for sickle cell disease. All states now screen babies’ blood for two or more inherited diseases, and the test for sickle cell disease is done using the same blood sample. To date, more than 40 states are testing newborns for sickle cell disease. Newborn testing alerts physicians to begin treatment before dangerous infections occur. Studies show that daily treatment with the antibiotic penicillin, beginning by 2 months of age and continuing to about 5 years, reduces the risk of the most serious infections by about 85 percent. It is very important
