Sickle cell disease: primum non nocere (first do no harm)

Sickle cell disease and infertility risks: implications for counseling and care of affected girls and women

INTRODUCTION

Sickle cell disease (SCD), its treatments and cures present infertility risks. Fertility counseling is broadly indicated for affected girls and women and fertility preservation may appeal to some. Several streams of evidence suggest that the reproductive lifespan of women with SCD is reduced. Pregnancy is associated with high miscarriage rates. There are enduring questions about the effects of highly effective hydroxyurea treatment on female fertility. Current conditioning regimens for gene therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplant are gonadotoxic. Fertility preservation methods exist as non-experimental standards of care for girls and women. Clinicians are challenged to overcome multifactorial barriers to incorporate fertility counseling and fertility preservation care into routine SCD care.

AREAS COVERED

Here we provide a narrative review of existing evidence regarding fertility and infertility risks in girls and women with SCD and consider counseling implications of existing evidence.

EXPERT OPINION

Addressing fertility for girls and women with SCD requires engaging concerns that emerge across the lifespan, acknowledging uncertainty and identifying barriers to care, some of which may be insurmountable without public policy changes. The contemporary SCD care paradigm can offer transformative SCD treatments alongside comprehensive counselling that addresses fertility risks and fertility preservation opportunities.

Targeted Hydroxyurea Education after an Emergency Department Visit Increases Hydroxyurea Use in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of an initiative to increase hydroxyurea use among children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) who presented to the emergency department (ED).

STUDY DESIGN

This observational cohort study included children with SCA not taking hydroxyurea who presented to the ED with pain or acute chest syndrome and then attended a Quick-Start Hydroxyurea Initiation Project (Q-SHIP) session. A Q-SHIP session includes a hematologist-led discussion on hydroxyurea, a video of patients talking about hydroxyurea, and a direct offer to start hydroxyurea.

RESULTS

Over 64 weeks, 112 eligible patients presented to the ED and 59% (n = 66) participated in a Q-SHIP session a median of 6 days (IQR 2, 20 days) after ED or hospital discharge; 55% of participants (n = 36) started hydroxyurea. After a median follow-up of 49 weeks, 83% (n = 30) of these participants continued hydroxyurea. Laboratory markers of hydroxyurea adherence were significantly increased from baseline: median mean corpuscular volume +8.6 fL (IQR 5.0, 17.7, P < .0001) and median hemoglobin F +5.7% (IQR 2.5, 9.8, P = .0001). Comparing Q-SHIP participants to nonparticipants, 12 weeks after ED visit, participants were more likely to have started hydroxyurea than nonparticipants (53% vs 20%, P = .0004) and to be taking hydroxyurea at last follow-up (50% vs 20%, P = .001). Two years after the implementation of Q-SHIP the overall proportion of eligible patients on hydroxyurea presenting to our ED increased from 56% to 80%, P = .0069.

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in a clinic to specifically address starting hydroxyurea after a SCA complication increases hydroxyurea use.

Sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is a common and life-threatening haematological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Abnormal sickle-shaped erythrocytes disrupt blood flow in small vessels, and this vaso-occlusion leads to distal tissue ischaemia and inflammation, with symptoms defining the acute painful sickle-cell crisis. Repeated sickling and ongoing haemolytic anaemia, even when subclinical, lead to parenchymal injury and chronic organ damage, causing substantial morbidity and early mortality. Currently available treatments are limited to transfusions and hydroxycarbamide, although stem cell transplantation might be a potentially curative therapy. Several new therapeutic options are in development, including gene therapy and gene editing. Recent advances include systematic universal screening for stroke risk, improved management of iron overload using oral chelators and non-invasive MRI measurements, and point-of-care diagnostic devices. Controversies include the role of haemolysis in sickle cell disease pathophysiology, optimal management of pregnancy, and strategies to prevent cerebrovascular disease.

A Child as a Donor for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Bioethical Justification-A Case Study on Sickle Cell Disease

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an important treatment option for children with severe and refractory sickle cell disease (SCD) with debilitating clinical complications. HSCT with cells from the bone marrow of a HLA-identical sibling used in SCD has a low mortality risk, high cure rate, and high event-free survival rate after a median follow-up of 5-6 years. However, matched donors are found in only about 20% of the patients. A boy aged 8 years with SCD had a sister, <2 years old, a fully compatible donor. The boy met all eligibility criteria to undergo HSCT, and he was suffering from cognitive and neurologic impairment due to ischemic events. A Bioethical Committee jointly discussed the ethical issues on this case after a pediatric evaluation released the very young sister for donation. The justification was that the sister would benefit from the donation too because of the greater likelihood of survival and cure and less suffering of her brother. The parents were informed about the risks and benefits for both children, and the family was psychologically evaluated. After their consent, HSCT was performed and the patient is cured from SCD. The complication for the donor was the need for blood transfusion.

The ethics of a proposed study of hematopoietic stem cell transplant for children with “less severe” sickle cell disease

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only cure for sickle cell disease (SCD). HSCT using an HLA-identical sibling donor is currently an acceptable treatment option for children with severe SCD, with expected HSCT survival >95% and event-free survival >85%. HSCT for children with less severe SCD (children who have not yet suffered overt disease complications or only had mild problems) is controversial. It is important to consider the ethical issues of a proposed study comparing HLA-identical sibling HSCT to best supportive care for children with less severe SCD. In evaluating the principles of nonmaleficence, respect for individual autonomy, and justice, we conclude that a study of HLA-identical sibling HSCT for all children with SCD, particularly hemoglobin SS and Sβ0-thalassemia disease, is ethically sound. Future work should explore the implementation of a large trial to help determine whether HSCT is a beneficial treatment of children with less severe SCD.