Key points
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex group of inherited blood disorders associated with debilitating pain and complications that can affect every organ in the body
- Healthcare providers caring for people with SCD may find the resources on this page helpful
ASH Clinical Guidelines on SCD
In 2016, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) initiated an effort to develop clinical practice guidelines on SCD. ASH formed a committee of medical experts, researchers and patients to review evidence and form recommendations on SCD. The recommendations address treatment of both adult and pediatric SCD.
Available guidelines
- Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Disease
- Transfusion Support
- Cerebrovascular Disease
- Management of Acute and Chronic Pain
- Stem Cell Transplantation
In partnership with ASH, CDC has created the Steps to Better Health for people with SCD toolkit based on these clinical guidelines. These patient-friendly materials include common complications of SCD and steps to take for better health.
NHLBI Clinical Guidelines on SCD
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) published a series of clinical practice guidelines for people with SCD in 2014. These guidelines were based on reviews of the scientific evidence available at that time. Examples include
- Penicillin prophylaxis prevents pneumococcal sepsis in children.
- Transfusions to reduce Hb S levels to below 30% prevent strokes in children with high central nervous system blood flow.
- Hydroxyurea decreases crises in patients with severe SCD.
CDC Resources
CDC Communication Resources
Watch videos on select topics about SCD
View and print tip sheets to give patients and families
CDC Scientific Articles
Read recent scientific articles generated from CDC programs and activities on SCD
Addressing Health Disparities and Racism: Real Steps Toward Change
Read action steps healthcare providers and health systems can take to get REAL with structural racism, interpersonal racism, and institutional racism
Hemoglobinopathies Surveillance Activities
Find information on CDC's current surveillance project, the Sickle Cell Data Collection (SCDC) program, and a Transfusion Complications Monitoring project
Other Resources
American Society of Hematology (ASH) Academy On Demand
A series of free, web-based videos from ASH to supplement education in benign hematology for fellows
ASH SCD Initiative
An initiative launched by ASH to improve outcomes for individuals with SCD, both in the United States and globally
Clinical Trials
A source of up-to-date information on SCD clinical research trials
Foundation for Women & Girls+ with Blood DisordersA
A foundation dedicated to ensuring all women and adolescent girls with blood disorders are correctly diagnosed and optimally treated and managed at every stage of life
Management of Pain in SCD
A comprehensive guideline to aid healthcare professionals in the management of patients with acute and chronic pain associated with SCD
Managing SCD in the Emergency Department
A point-of-care tool developed by the American College of Emergency Physicians that provides clinical content and tools for emergency medicine physicians to use while providing care in the emergency department
National Alliance of Sickle Cell Centers
An organization that provides support for adult and pediatric SCD centers
Sickle Cell Adult Providers Network
A network for healthcare providers who serve adults with SCD
Sickle Cell Information Center
A web-based resource for information about SCD for patients, families, and healthcare providers
Society of Hospital Medicine
An organization that provides SCD resources for hospitalists
Understanding the Complications of SCD
An evidence-based review article about SCD complications and the nursing implications for each
- +This includes persons with, or have had, the ability to menstruate.