Morphine is associated with acute chest syndrome in children hospitalized with sickle cell disease.

Objective: To determine if intravenous morphine is associated with acute chest syndrome (ACS) in children with homozygous for hemoglobin S sickle cell disease (SCD) hospitalized with acute pain.

Methods: Health records of patients with homozygous for hemoglobin S SCD aged 2 to 18 years hospitalized with acute pain were reviewed. Patients developed ACS at least 12 hours after emergency department triage; controls did not develop ACS.