Hydroxyurea in children with sickle cell disease in a resource-poor setting: Monitoring and effects of therapy. A practical perspective.

HU (10-15 mg/kg/day starting dose) is safe and seems effective and acceptable to parents. Parental commitment to therapy, pre-HU education (that continues during therapy), provision of affordable HU, and subsidized laboratory tests are important considerations for initiating therapy. Special HU clinics may facilitate dose escalation and reduce frequency of monitoring. Studies are needed on feasibility of maximum tolerable dose HU protocols in sub-Saharan Africa without compromising safety.