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Clinical Trials

Pediatric Stroke Study (06.10.046)

Stroke with Transfusion Changing to Hydroxyurea (SWITCH)

Protocol ID

06.10.046

Protocol Description

Stroke is a serious problem for children with sickle cell anemia.  Children who have had at least one stroke may receive monthly transfusions to prevent other strokes.   A major problem with chronic blood transfusions is the development of iron overload, since the iron damages your liver, heart, and other organs.  If untreated, iron overload can cause death.  Iron overload is treated with chelation (iron removal) therapy. We would like to study a new treatment plan of hydroxyurea and phlebotomy, to see if together they can prevent stroke and manage iron overload just as well or better than the standard treatment.

The study has the following goals:

1. To compare standard therapy (monthly blood transfusions and chelation) with alternative therapy (hydroxyurea treatment and repeated phlebotomy) for the prevention of secondary stroke and the management of iron overload.
2. To compare standard therapy to alternative therapy for effects on growth and development, the frequency of non-stroke neurological events and other sickle-related events, and quality of life.

Eligibility Criteria

Children with sickle cell anemia, who have had a stroke, and now are now receiving chronic blood transfusions and have iron overload

Primary Investigator(s)

  • Sharon Singh, MD

Contact Information

Ellen Muir
(718) 470-3605
emuir@nshs.edu

Last Update

January 19, 2010
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