Hydroxyurea and growth in young children with sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Growth impairment is a known complication of sickle cell disease. Effects of hydroxyurea (HU) on growth in very young children are not known.

Methods

Height, weight, BMI, and head circumference (HC) were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standards in BABY HUG, a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 2-year clinical trial of HU in 193 children 9 to 18 months of age. Anthropometric data were closely monitored and converted to z scores by using WHO standardized algorithms for descriptive analyses. The treatment and placebo groups were compared longitudinally by using a mixed model analysis.

Results

At entry, the z scores of BABY HUG children were higher than WHO norms. After 2 years of HU or placebo treatment, there were no si

SUBMITTER: Rana S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4144002 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature