This Week in Sickle Cell News July 13th to 20th

By Sean Marshall

Important news for parents of children suffering from sickle cell anemia, according to Health-e-galaxy, a global health news and information website, "up to 41% of children with sickle cell anemia may have some degree of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome." This came from a Sleep and Asthma Cohort study out of New York State.

According to the study children who have sickle cell anemia are more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or OSAS for short. Normally OSAS affects 1% to 5% of children which is not very high. However when children with sickle cell anemia disease were tested it was much higher.

Tests showed that the sickle cell children had a higher rate of OSAS. "Among 243 children in the final sample, 41% had an obstructive apnea hypopnea index (OAHI) of at least 1, 34% had an OAHI of at least 1 plus habitual snoring, 24% had an OAHI of at least 2, and 10% had an OAHI of 5 or greater."

Sleep apnea causes "a person to often awaken with shortness of breath or have a difficult time getting to sleep or staying asleep. Like with obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and daytime sleepiness can occur." This means that less air is getting that there is a lack of oxygen getting to the body; this is especially problematic for those suffering from sickle cell anemia because it just adds more complications for the human body.

The article stressed the importance of testing early to avoid complications later on. Measured could be taken such as surgeries or sleep therapy to aid in proper sleep.

If you would like to learn more follow the link:
http://www.hegalaxy.com/obstructive-sleep-apnea-common-in-kids-with-sickle-cell-anemia/ 

Good news for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Gertler Family Foundation according to a press release in the digitaljournal.com "saving the lives of hundreds of these children and reducing infant mortality in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."


The press release outlined that The Gertler Family Foundation or GFF had combined their efforts with Dr. Baron Ngasia, one of the founders of the Sickle Cell Disease Research Network in Central Africa and have "established a SCD unit at Lumbu Hospital in Kindu, Maniema Province, where he is also the medical director." The GFF plans on "continuing research, screening and treatment management for newborns with SCD, as well as educating parents about SCD and training medical staff about the disease."

It was then stated that in May 2014 at GFF Symposium held in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital. At the symposium "more than 150 participants from across the DRC, Africa, Europe, and the United States gathered to discuss establishing a national SCD program in the DRC." It was explained that "all parties would be working with the Ministry of Health to develop SCD policy; and improving the knowledge and SCD practical skills of health care providers."

GFF's end goals were to combine early screen for newborns with "specific immunization and penicillin prophylaxis to allow for better management of the disease in life." Other goals included management of the disease in DRC and other African countries.

Despite the overwhelming good this organization is doing the news must be taken with a grain of salt after all this is a press release and that means its company propaganda as much as it is good news.

If you would like to see the Press Release for yourself just head to the link: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2057491

If you have any comments questions or concerns email us at: thesickleinme@gmail.com