Comprehensive management of children with sickle cell disease [La gestione condivisa ospedale-territorio del bambino con malattia drepanocitica]

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary autosomal disease of haemoglobin characterized by chronic haemolytic anaemia, vaso-occlusive painful crisis, organ damage and increased susceptibility to infections. In recent years, the number of patients with sickle cell disease increased in Italy. The paper presents an overview of the disorder, its main clinical complications, and a review of the general management of the patient according to the international and national guidelines.