A SICKLE-CELL PATIENT WITH TRANSFUSION DE ADLOCK - FAVORABLE OUTCOME WITH HYDROXYUREA TREATMENT

Alloimmunization following multiple transfusions, a frequently observe d complication in sickle cell anemia patients, may make subsequent tra nsfusion attempts extremely hazardous. The case of a young woman with sickle-cell anemia is reported; she was hospitalized for the treatment of extensive invalidating leg ulcers. The transfusion program that wa s initiated as a prerequisite to skin allografts had to be stopped, du e to rapid occurrence of multiple alloimmunization. Broad spectrum all oantibodies precluded further selection of comtible blood units. In an attempt to get round this impossibility, a treatment with Hydroxyurea was initiated in order to boost synthesis of F-hemoglobin. After one year under this treatment, the patient's clinical status has clearly i mproved without requiring any new blood transfusion.