Did you know that Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Treats more Sickle Cell Anemia Patients than any hospital in NJ?

If you know anyone who is suffering from sickle cell anemia, be sure to pass along this important information! Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with a grant of $1.6 million to provide continuity of care to sickle cell anemia patients as they transition to adulthood. The hospital is one of only seven sites nationally to receive funding. Children’s Hospital of New Jersey already treats the most pediatric sickle cell anemia cases in the state, and the federal money will enhance the care these patients receive through adolescence and beyond.

“As the largest adult sickle cell program in the state, we understand the need for ongoing care of this lifelong disease,” says Alice Cohen, M.D., Director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an affiliate of the Saint Barnabas Health Care System. “Many programs focus only on pediatric patients, but our hospital has been recognized with grant funding for our commitment to continuity of care for patients regardless of age.”

The $1.6 million grant, awarded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, ensures that patients and families receive sufficient one-on-one education to build a foundation for self-care, self-monitoring, and advocacy. Particular focus for this expansion has been with patients ages 15 to 21, an age group in which treatment is often neglected, resulting in acute symptoms and even unnecessary death.

Other grant benefits include training of health care workers, coordinating care for newborn screenings, as well as the creation of a comprehensive “medical home” for patients with sickle cell anemia.

The state-designated sickle cell program at CHoNJ and NBIMC is the largest in the state. The pediatric component is run through the Valerie Fund Treatment Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, while the adult component operates from The Frederick B. Cohen, M.D., Cancer and Blood Disorder Center. The grant was obtained by Dr. Cohen and co-senior investigators Wondwessen Bekele, M.D., Pediatric Hematologist /Oncologist and Andrew Eisenberger, M.D., Section Chief, Benign Hematology.

Understanding Sickle Cell Anemia

In New Jersey, approximately 80-90 infants are born each year with sickle cell disease, according to Sickle Cell Advisory Committee of New Jersey. Named for the unusually sickle-shaped red blood cells caused by a genetic abnormality, sickle cell anemia affects nearly 100,000 Americans.

““Fortunately, a child may live a full, productive life with the disease, as physicians know much more about how to manage it,” reports Peri Kamalakar, M.D., Director of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and co-director of the Comprehensive Hemophilia Treatment Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes anemia, increased susceptibility to infection, severe pain, strokes and organ damage. A simple blood test can be administered to determine if a person is a carrier or has sickle cell disease.

In the U.S., sickle cell disease is most commonly found in African Americans. The disease can lead to pain, anemia, serious infections and damage to major organs. The cells’ abnormal shape reduces ability to deliver oxygen to organs and causes them to get stuck in the blood vessels, leading to severe pain and hospitalizations.
Specialized Treatment

The goals of sickle cell treatment are to prevent infections, relieve pain, and prevent or control complications. Infections are the leading cause of death in sickle cell disease. Pain attacks are the leading cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Special measures are taken to reduce the severity of infections.
“This includes daily penicillin for children for at least the first five years of life, special vaccines, and aggressive evaluation and treatment when patients develop signs of infection,” says Dr. Kamalakar.

Vaccinations against pneumococcus, haemophilus influenza type B, and meningococcus and hepatitis B and influenza are especially important. Infection with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, causes more life-threatening complications than seasonal flu in children with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusions are used to treat complications. Annual eye examination for retina disease is also needed.

Dr. Kamalakar says one of the most important aspects of caring for these children and adolescents is educating families about the illness and how to prevent crises. Children learn about the importance of dressing warmly, drinking plenty of fluids, not over-exerting themselves, and pain management.

“We work toward the day when new therapies will offer even more options and relief for sickle cell families,” says Dr. Kamalakar.

For more information

Please contact the Valerie Fund Children’s Center at CHoNJ at
(973) 926-7161, which operates 24 hours a day, or the Frederick B. Cohen, MD, Comprehensive Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at (973) 926-7230.