Practical management of sickle cell disease

Nursing management of children with sickle cell disease: an update

This article reviews current trends in managing children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The pathophysiology, medical and nursing management, and complications of SCD are discussed. Current trends and research findings related to improving the prognosis of children with SCD are offered. The importance of the nurse's role in educating the family about the disease process and clinical interventions to prevent or manage complications are stressed. Lastly, a nursing care plan is offered which focuses on pertinent nursing diagnosis.

Management of the oral and maxillofacial surgery patient with sickle cell disease and related hemoglobinopathies

The oral and maxillofacial surgery patient with a sickle cell hemoglobinopathy presents a complex and challenging clinical management problem. The potential for significant morbidity and mortality among these patients is great. Thus the surgeon must adhere to sound principles of medical and surgical practice to avoid major difficulties. This article describes the complex pathophysiology, clinical course, and management principles of the oral and maxillofacial surgery patient with sickle cell disease.

Continuous papaveretum infusion for the control of pain in painful sickling crisis

We describe our experience of using continuous papaveretum infusions to control pain in 24 children admitted on 45 occasions with painful sickling crisis. The children were aged from 1.7 to 14.3 years. Infusion duration ranged from one to nine days (median three days), total dose from 0.3 to 21 mg/kg (median 2.4 mg/kg), with a pronounced tendency for dosage to increase with increasing age. No respiratory depression was observed. One infusion was discontinued because of cerebral toxicity.