The role of transfusion therapy in the treatment of sickle cell disease.

The probability of recurrent stroke in children with sickle cell disease is high. Routine transfusion therapy has proven to be a successful preventative therapy for controlling the complications of this hematologic disorder. Other complications related to chronic transfusion also can be limited or prevented in most patients. In this article, the author discusses the sickle cell process, pathophysiology characteristics and treatment, transfusion therapy, and the complications that may result from frequent administration of multiple transfusions.