Zakari Aliyu
ZAKARI ALIYU, Howard University, Washington DC
Nigeria has the highest incidence of sickle cell anemia in the world, with over 150,000 children being born each year with the disease. But a new study has shown that no one is using the standard therapy hydroxyurea to treat it. Derek Thorne got more from Zakari Aliyu of Howard University in Washington DC.
NIH Consensus Development Conference:
Hydroxyurea Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease
February 25–27, 2008
Register Online Now!
In order to take a closer look at this important topic, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Office of Medical Applications of Research of the National Institutes of Health will convene a Consensus Development Conference from February 25–27, 2008, to assess the available scientific evidence related to the following questions:
What is the efficacy (results from clinical studies) of hydroxyurea treatment for patients who have sickle cell disease in three groups: infants, preadolescents, and adolescents/adults?
What is the effectiveness (in everyday practice) of hydroxyurea treatment for patients who have sickle cell disease?
What are the short- and long-term harms of hydroxyurea treatment?
What are the barriers to hydroxyurea treatment for patients who have sickle cell disease and what are the potential solutions?
What are the future research needs?
Additional information is available at http://consensus.nih.gov/2008/2008SickleCellCDC119main.htm