Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management: Sickle Cell Anemia | Homework #1 Solution

Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management: Sickle Cell Anemia

A 2-month-old is identified during newborn screening with sickle cell anemia.

• How would you manage this patient at 2 months, 2 years, 6 years, and at 13 years old?
• What are the issues for each stage in development? Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management
• Where would you refer this child?
• How would you coordinate the care of this child?

.Submission Instructions:

• Post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Managing a Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia at Different Ages:

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, resulting in the deformation of red blood cells. The management of a patient with sickle cell anemia requires a comprehensive approach that considers the specific needs and challenges at different stages of development. Here is an overview of how this patient could be managed at 2 months, 2 years, 6 years, and 13 years old:

1. At 2 months: At this stage, the focus is on providing supportive care and monitoring for potential complications. It is crucial to educate the parents about sickle cell anemia, including the signs and symptoms of vaso-occlusive crises, infection, and anemia. Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management Vaccination should be up to date, including pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccines, as children with sickle cell anemia are at increased risk of infections.
2. At 2 years: By 2 years of age, the child will have received routine immunizations and started on prophylactic penicillin therapy to prevent pneumococcal infections. Ongoing monitoring of growth and development is important, including regular check-ups to assess the child’s overall health and screen for potential complications. Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management Additional interventions may include parental education on recognizing and managing pain crises, optimizing hydration, and avoiding triggers such as extreme temperature changes.
3. At 6 years: At this stage, the child’s educational and social needs become increasingly important. It is crucial to ensure regular school attendance and provide necessary support for academic performance. Regular follow-up visits should continue to assess growth and development, screen for complications, and address any psychosocial challenges the child may face. The child may benefit from counseling or support groups to address any emotional or social difficulties related to their condition. Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management
4. At 13 years: During adolescence, the focus shifts towards promoting independence and self-management skills. The patient should be educated about the importance of regular medication adherence, recognizing and managing pain episodes, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Comprehensive education should be provided regarding sexual health, including the potential risks of sickle cell disease during pregnancy. Regular follow-up visits should continue to monitor for complications, screen for coexisting conditions (such as iron overload), and provide psychosocial support. Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management

Issues at Each Stage of Development: Each stage of development poses unique challenges for patients with sickle cell anemia. Common issues include:

• Infancy: Increased vulnerability to infections and the need for parental education on recognizing signs of complications.
• Early childhood: Pain crises, anemia, and delayed growth and development.
• School age: Balancing school attendance with the management of the disease and addressing any potential academic or psychosocial challenges.
• Adolescence: Transitioning to adult care, promoting self-management skills, addressing sexual health concerns, and managing potential psychosocial issues. Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management

Referral and Care Coordination: It is crucial to refer the child with sickle cell anemia to a comprehensive sickle cell disease clinic or a pediatric hematologist with expertise in managing the disease. This ensures that the child receives specialized care, including routine monitoring, prevention of complications, and access to appropriate interventions. Care coordination involves establishing a multidisciplinary team, including nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other healthcare providers, who collaborate to address the diverse needs of the patient and their family. Regular communication, shared decision-making, and care plans should be established to provide holistic and coordinated care. Get Value Proposition Essay Help!! Discussion – Approaches To Disease Management

Support for the management of patients with sickle cell anemia can be found in clinical guidelines such as the “Evidence-Based Management of Sickle Cell Disease: Expert Panel Report, 2014” published by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

References:

DiMartino, L. D., Baumann, A. A., Hsu, L. L., Kanter, J., Gordeuk, V. R., Glassberg, J., … & Hankins, J. S. (2018). The sickle cell disease implementation consortium: Translating evidence-based guidelines into practice for sickle cell disease. American journal of hematology, 93(12), E391.