Prophylactic antibiotics for preventing pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease (Cochrane Review)

A substantive amendment to this systematic review was last made on 17 May 2002. Cochrane reviews are regularly checked and updated if necessary.

Background: People with sickle cell disease are particularly susceptible to infection. Infants and very young children are especially vulnerable, and the Co-operative Study of Sickle Cell Disease observed an incidence rate of 10 per 100 patient years of pneumococcal septicaemia in children under the age of three. Vaccines, including customary pneumococcal vaccines, may be of limited use in this age group. Therefore, prophylactic penicillin regimes may be advisable for this population.

Objectives: To assess the effects of prophylactic antibiotic regimes for preventing pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group trials register, which is comprised of references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, handsearching relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Date of the most recent search: January 2003.

Selection criteria: All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing prophylactic antibiotics to prevent pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease with placebo, no treatment or a comparator drug.

Data collection and analysis: Both reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.

Main results: Five trials were identified by the initial search, of which three trials met the inclusion criteria. All of the included trials showed a reduced incidence of infection in children with sickle cell disease (SS or Sb0Thal) receiving prophylactic penicillin. For initiation of treatment the odds ratio was 0.37 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.86), and for withdrawal the odds ratio was 0.49 (95% CI 0.09 to 2.71). Adverse drug effects were rare and minor. Rates of pneumococcal infection were found to be relatively low in children over the age of five.

Reviewers' conclusions: Prophylactic penicillin significantly reduces risk of pneumococcal infection in children with homozygous sickle cell disease, and is associated with minimal adverse reactions. Further research may help to determine the ideal age to safely withdraw penicillin.

Citation: Riddington C, Owusu-Ofori S. Prophylactic antibiotics for preventing pneumococcal infection in children with sickle cell disease (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.

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This is an abstract of a regularly updated, systematic review prepared and maintained by the Cochrane Collaboration. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).

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