Sickle Cell Disease Program

If your newborn or young child has been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, you likely have a lot of questions. The good news is, with the right care, many children with sickle cell live long, healthy lives. Many take part in the same activities other children enjoy, including sports.

Early treatment is important. Although sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the United States we’re the only hospital in Arkansas to diagnose, evaluate and treat children who have sickle cell disease. Your child is in good hands here at Arkansas Children’s.

Early treatment is important. Although sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disorder in the United States we’re the only hospital in Arkansas to diagnose, evaluate and treat children who have sickle cell disease. Your child is in good hands here at Arkansas Children’s.

Meet the Team

• Hematologist (a doctor who specialize in blood problems)
• Nurse practitioner (a nurse with extra training who can write prescriptions)
• Sickle cell specialty nurse
• Apheresis nurse (a nurse who specializes in machines that draw, separate and return blood)
• Social worker

Sickle cell disease treatment aims to keep your child healthy and pain-free. We’ll work with you to create the best treatment plan for your child’s specific type of sickle cell disease and symptoms.

Other Treatments Options

• Immunizations — to prevent many infections
• Transcranial Doppler ultrasound — to check blood flow in the brain and help prevent strokes.
• Blood transfusions — to ease a pain crisis with donated blood
• Strategies to prevent and manage pain
• Hospitalization — when needed to help control a pain crisis. Care teams may suggest hydration, medicines and/or blood transfusions during your child’s stay.

Clinical Trials

Your child may be able to take part in a clinical trial for sickle cell patients with pain crises:

A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Study To Evaluate The Efficacy And Safety Of Rivipansel (Gmi-1070) In The Treatment Of Vaso-occlusive Crisis In Hospitalized Subjects With Sickle Cell Disease.

View Study Details

Visit these websites to learn more about sickle cell disease and treatments:

• Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. This Baltimore, MD, nonprofit provides information about sickle cell disease for patients and families and supports research and legislation to address the health issues of those living with the condition.
• American Sickle Cell Anemia Association. This Cleveland, Ohio, nonprofit provides services to families with sickle cell disease, such as diagnostic testing, evaluation, counseling and supportive services.
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This government website provides information about sickle cell diagnosis, treatment, living with the condition and clinical trials.