Treatment for sickle-cell disease

Bone marrow transplant is the only known cure for sickle cell disease. Transplants are complex and risky procedures and currently are an option only for a carefully selected subset of patients with severe complications.

Blood is produced in the bones of the body. A successful marrow transplant means new blood cells can be produced to replaced the sickle blood cells.

Bone Marrow Transplant is still in its early days, but the procedure holds promise for the future.

There are medicines available to help manage the pain, and immunizations and daily doses of penicillin (an antibiotic) can help prevent infection.

Folic acid supplements can help them continue to produce new blood cells.

In recent past, children used to die of infections, but antibiotics is now available to prevent life-threatening infections like meningitis and pneumonia.

Sometimes, kids who develop serious complications (such as recurrent acute chest syndrome, especially severe anemia, or stroke) may receive blood transfusions to prevent or treat these complications.