Comorbidities are risk factors for hospitalization and serious COVID-19 illness in children and adults with sickle cell disease.

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at high risk of developing serious infections, therefore, understanding the impact that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection has on this population is important. We sought to identify factors associated with hospitalization and serious COVID-19 illness in children and adults with SCD.We established the international SECURE-SCD Registry to collect data on patients with SCD and COVID-19 illness.

Coronavirus Disease among Persons with Sickle Cell Disease, United States, March 20-May 21, 2020.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) disproportionately affects Black or African American persons in the United States and can cause multisystem organ damage and reduced lifespan. Among 178 persons with SCD in the United States who were reported to an SCD-coronavirus disease case registry, 122 (69%) were hospitalized and 13 (7%) died.

American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for sickle cell disease: management of acute and chronic pain.

Background: The management of acute and chronic pain for individuals living with sickle cell disease (SCD) is a clinical challenge. This reflects the paucity of clinical SCD pain research and limited understanding of the complex biological differences between acute and chronic pain. These issues collectively create barriers to effective, targeted interventions.

Perceptions of the term palliative care.

Objectives: To assess parents' and health care providers' perceptions of the name and description of a pediatric palliative care (PPC) program.

Methods: Survey conducted at three pediatric health care sites; asked respondents (parents and staff) about their likelihood to use a program identified either as palliative care or supportive care, as well as their understanding and feelings about the program before and after reading a program description.

Results: Response rate was 89% (195/220); 184 were considered evaluable.

Trends in breast cancer presentation and care according to age in a single institution.

Background: This study sought to determine the differences in presentation and treatment of young women (< or =40 years of age) with breast cancer.

Methods: A prospective database was analyzed for differences in presentation and care in breast cancer patients < or =40 and >40 years of age.

Results: The study group consisted of 1685 women.