Sickle cell patients present some characteristics in respect to growth and development that must be observed in their accompaniment. Growth is delayed from the age of two years old with the weight being affected more than the height. By adulthood, a normal height is attained but the weight remains lower than in a control population. Skeletal and sexual maturity is also delayed, with normalization occurring at an older age. Some factors contribute to this delay in growth and maturity including endocrine factors, chronic hemolysis and increased cardiovascular function that increases energy and protein expenditure and nutritional deficiencies. With the improvement of the accompaniment and treatment of sickle cell patients, it is possible to improve the quality of life with adequate monitoring of the growth and development.
Growth; development; puberty; sickle cell disease