Invited Commentary

Commentary on "Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease in a Rural Community: Are They Ready to Transition to Adulthood?"

Authors: Olivia D. Kreze, MD, PhD

Abstract

The life expectancy of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) has improved significantly. It is no longer a disease of childhood. Most children with sickle cell anemia (93.9%) and nearly all children with milder forms of SCD (98.4%) live to become adults.1 Significant numbers are older than age 50 and some are now living longer, into the seventh and eighth decades. Consequently, the importance of transitioning from a pediatric care provider to adult healthcare facilities has become a critical step in the healthcare management plan.

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References

1. Quinn CT, Rogers ZR, McCavit TL, Buchanan GR. Improved survival of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. Blood 2010;115:3447-3452.
 
2. Mennito S, Hletko P, Ebeling M, et al. Adolescents with sickle cell disease in a rural community: are they ready to transition to adulthood? South Med J 2014;107:584-588.
 
3. Platt OS, Brambilla DJ, Rosse WF, et al. Mortality in sickle cell disease. Life expectancy and risk factors for early death. N Engl J Med 1994;330:1639-1644.
 
4. National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The Management of Sickle Cell Disease. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/blood/sickle/sc_mngt.pdf. Published 2002. Accessed July 31, 2014.
 
5. Telfair J, Ehiri JE, Loosier PS, et al. Transition to adult care for adolescents with sickle cell disease: results of a national survey. Int J Adolesc Med Health 2004;16:47-64.