MANIFESTATIONS OF SICKLE-CELL DISEASE IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG-ADULTS

In Germany about 300 sickle cell patients are being seen at more than 100 different hospitals. One third of these patients are adolescents a nd young adults. Since this is a congenital chronic disease, the major ity of these teenagers and young adults are being cared for by pediatr icians. Sickle cell disease in patients older than 15 years is charact erized by the development of chronic organ damage, in addition to the occurrence of acute manifestations of disease such as pain crises, spl enic sequestration, aplastic crises and Acute Chest Syndrome. Pediatri cians who care for older sickle cell patients have to handle not only internal medicine problems but also to answer questions concerning pre gnancy and contraception. In this paper the specific problems of adole scents and young adults with sickle cell disease are presented and sug gestions are offered for the care of this group of patients.