الفهرس 
Title: The Prevalence of Disease- Related Complications in Egyptian Children and young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease Receiving Hydroxycarbamide.
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Abstract
Background: Although hydroxyurea has an established role in improving laboratory parameters and reducing acute clinical complications, its role in preventing organ damage in SCD is less well defined. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of disease- related complications in Egyptian patients with SCD receiving HU. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analytic study carried out on 60 SCD patients who were receiving HU therapy for at least 1 year. Details of HU therapy, clinical and laboratry data before and after HU were recorded. Results: All patients received HU at a starting dose 15 mg/kg/day with a maximum tolerated dose reached 35 mg/kg/day in 2 patients. Mean HU dose was 19 ± 4.9 mg/ kg/day and mean duration of HU treatment was 6.2 years.There was significant reduction in the frequency of vasoocclusive crises per year, frequency of blood transfusion and rate of hospitalization (p{u02C2}0.05). No significant difference was detected before and after using HU as regards the frequency infections, sequestration, aplastic crises, leg ulcers and cardiac complications (p{u02C3}0.05). One patient developed leg ulcers and another one had pulmonary hypertension while on HU. None of the studied patients had evidence of avascular necrosis at starting HU, however, eight (13.3%) patients developed bone changes while on HU. Two (3.4%) patients developed stroke while on HU and they were shifted to chronic transfusion regimen. There were a significant increases in total Hb, and significant decrease in TLC and reticulocytic count (p{u02C2}0.05). A statistically significant improvement of school scores among patients was seen after HU treatment (P=0.025). A marginally significant improvement of quality of life scores was detected among patients after using HU (P=0.05)