| REVIEW ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2018 | Volume
: 9
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1-5 |
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Hydroxyurea: Modifier of pathophysiology in sickle cell anemia
Akinsegun Akinbami1, Ebele Uche1, Adedoyin Dosunmu1, Adewumi Adediran2, Sarah John-Olabode2
1 Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University College of Medicine, PMB 21266, Ikeja, Nigeria
2 Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Akinsegun Akinbami
Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University College of Medicine, PMB 21266, Ikeja, Lagos
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/atp.atp_31_17
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Sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients have a point mutation in the 6th codon of the hemoglobin gene in which adenine is replaced by thymine resulting in replacement of glutamic acid with valine on the 6th amino acid in the β globin chain of the hemoglobin. Despite identical basic genetic mutation in all SCA patients, significant variation in clinical severity occurs. Clinical severity of SCA varies from mild to very severe types requiring more intensive medical interventions such as use of hydroxyurea (HU) and stem cell transplantation. Use of HU has improved clinical outcome in SCA and is recommended for moderate-to-severe varieties of SCA. This review brings to the fore mode of action, indications, commencement of therapy, monitoring, toxicity, and discontinuation of HU in selected SCA patients. |
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