Stroke with Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (SWiTCH)

Stroke with Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (SWiTCH)

Issue:  Children with SCD who have experienced a stroke receive monthly blood transfusions to prevent them from having another stroke.  Although chronic transfusions are effective, they are risky.  Moreover, children who receive them develop iron overload, which much be treated with an inconvenient and painful therapy called chelation.  Is there a better approach to prevent secondary strokes and remove excess iron from the bloodstream?

Participants:  Children with SCD, 5 to 18 years of age, who have been treated with blood transfusions for at least 18 months since having a stroke

Comparison:   hydroxyurea + phlebotomy (removal of blood) (the experimental treatment)

versus

blood transfusions + chelation (the standard approach) 

More Information:  http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00122980