Sickle Cell Center Focuses on Nutrition and its Role in Sickle Cell Patient Health

The Sickle Cell Anemia Center at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital’s Angie Fowler Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Institute in Cleveland, Ohio focuses on nutrition as it plays a vital role in the health of a child with sickle cell disease.

Registered Dietitian Supports Optimal Health in Sickle Cell Patients

With special training in the field of nutrition, our registered dietitian helps make sure each child’s diet is meeting all of his or her needs.

Children with sickle cell disease can have different body characteristics than children not affected by sickle cell disease. Some children are much smaller and thinner than their peers, while others may be overweight. Our registered dietitians take care to personalize individual nutritional plans for unique patient needs.

Promoting Adequate Growth

It is very common for children with sickle cell disease to have poor nutritional intake during a pain crisis or hospitalization. Even when a child is feeling well, they need additional calories and protein to promote adequate growth.

Hydration is also very important as dehydration can increase the risk of a pain crisis. If your child has poor nutritional intake, they may also be at increased risk for certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies.