Sickle cell anemia: From childhood to adolescence. Management in 2001.

Sickle cell anaemia is a chronic disease which evolves on the background of a basal state punctuated by sickle cell disease critical periods, often wi th complications requiring overall treatment The management of both periods child must be well integrated into the treatment programme. In order to tr eat occlusive crisis, medical staff treatment must be well trained and equi pped for the complicated clinical diagnoses involved in drepanocytosis : bo ne infarction or osteomyelitis, pneumonia or acute chest syndrome, multifoc al crisis or severe infectious disease. Neonatal diagnosis is the best way for early treatment by preventing severe pneumocaccal diseases, ensuring su fficient hydration and appropriate surveillance, as well as providing famil y education. Much progress has been made over the last decade in the early treatment of retinitis, biliary lithiasis, and aseptic hip necrosis. It is also important to ensure accurate prescriptions for hydroxyurea. Specialise d centres for drepanocytosis treatment are now a growing necessity and shou ld be encouraged in order to provide treatment for dispersed patients again st a relatively little known disease.