Implications of a Paediatrician-psychologist Tandem for Sickle Cell Disease Care and Impact on Cognitive Functioning

Implications of a Paediatrician-psychologist Tandem for Sickle Cell Disease Care and Impact on Cognitive Functioning

Sickle cell disease (SCD) necessitates a paediatric treatment plan that considers the influence of psychological, family and intercultural factors. At the Louis-Mourier Hospital (APHP) in Colombes, France, a paediatric-psychological partnership where a clinical psychologist accompanies the paediatrician at programmed consultations was introduced.

The psychological repercussions of SCD were assessed among children and their parents treated in Colombes and in two other paediatric units without a paediatric-psychological partnership.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children under 18 years old
• Major form of SCD (SS, SC, Sβ° thal, Sβ+ thal) diagnosed by electrophoresis

Exclusion Criteria:

• Child or parent residing in France less than 6 months
• Having received SCD treatment in more than one centre