Asthma seven times more likely in SCD children than in unaffected siblings

Children with sickle cell diseaseexternal link, opens in a new tab (SCD) are about seven times more likely to have asthma than their unaffected siblings, with odds increasing with age, according to a study in the U.S.

These findings highlight the importance of more frequent screening to protect the lungs and prevent asthma-related complications in children with SCD.

“Interval screening [between routine visits] should be implemented to capture cases at all ages,” researchers wrote.

The study, “Sickle Cell Disease Is an Inherent Risk for Asthma in a Sibling Comparison Studyexternal link, opens in a new tab,” was published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer.