A recent study from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) highlights concerning gaps in preventive care for children with sickle cell anemia, who face heightened risks of infections and stroke. Led by Dr. Ashaunta Anderson, the research examined compliance with two quality standards designed to prevent these complications. The study found that only about 20% of children aged 3 months to 5 years received the recommended twice-daily preventive antibiotics, while roughly 50% of children aged 2 to 15 received annual transcranial Doppler ultrasounds to monitor stroke risk. These measures are crucial: antibiotics can help protect young children from life-threatening infections, and annual brain scans can detect stroke risk early, enabling preventative treatments like regular blood transfusions.
Analyzing Medicaid data from California and Georgia (2010–2019), the researchers observed disparities based on insurance type, geography, and provider specialization. Children in rural areas and those treated by pediatric hematologists were more likely to receive recommended care. Notably, adherence to preventive measures decreased with age, though overall use of stroke risk scans did increase over time, which Dr. Anderson attributes to enhanced data tracking efforts across states.
The study, published in Pediatrics, highlights that health care disparities may impact the accessibility of preventive care, particularly for Medicaid-insured families who may lack transportation or awareness of the importance of regular antibiotics and scans. Dr. Anderson emphasized the need for educational outreach to providers and families and expressed hope that increased tracking can support nationwide quality improvement programs for children with sickle cell anemia. The study received funding from the National Center for Advancing Translational Science (NCATS) and was supported by the CDC’s Sickle Cell Data Collection Program in collaboration with institutions across California and Georgia.
