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Infection in sickle cell disease

Authoring team

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:

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