Pneumococcal vaccines prevent infections in SCD children: Study

Rates of life-threatening infections by pneumococcal bacteria have significantly declined, by about 80%, among children with sickle cell disease (SCD) since the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines 20 years ago. That’s according to a study analyzing more than two decades of healthcare data from young SCD patients in metropolitan…

As Colder Weather Approaches, I Must Be Mindful of Triggers

Well, summer in the U.K. seemed to last all of 2 seconds. Now we are back to colder weather, shorter days, and higher heating bills. As the colder seasons arrive, those of us with sickle cell disease need to be more intentional about looking after ourselves. The cold may expose…

Survival After Kidney Transplant Lower in SCD Patients Than Other Kidney Disease Patients, Analysis Shows

Survival of sickle cell disease patients (SCD) with end-stage renal disease who undergo kidney transplant is significantly lower compared to other renal disease patients who have the same procedure, a retrospective analysis shows. That finding, “Survival and specific outcome of sickle cell disease patients after renal transplantation,” was…