RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Higher oxygen saturation with hydroxyurea in paediatric sickle cell disease JF Archives of Disease in Childhood JO Arch Dis Child FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP archdischild-2019-317862 DO 10.1136/archdischild-2019-317862 A1 Lisa van Geyzel A1 Michele Arigliani A1 Baba Inusa A1 Bethany Singh A1 Wanda Kozlowska A1 Subarna Chakravorty A1 Cara J Bossley A1 Gary Ruiz A1 David Rees A1 Atul Gupta YR 2019 UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/early/2019/12/22/archdischild-2019-317862.abstract AB Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited diseases worldwide. It is associated with lifelong morbidity and reduced life expectancy. Hydroxyurea (HU) has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of vaso-occlusive episodes in SCD. Hypoxaemia and intermittent nocturnal oxygen desaturations occur frequently in children with SCD and contribute to the associated morbidity, including risk of cerebrovascular disease.Objective To evaluate the effect of HU on oxygen saturation (SpO2) overnight and on daytime SpO2 spot checks in children with SCD.Methods A retrospective review of children with SCD and respiratory problems who attended two UK tertiary sickle respiratory clinics and were treated with HU. Longitudinal data were collected from 2 years prior and up to 3 years after the commencement of HU.Results Forty-three children, 23 males (53%) with a median age of 9 (range 1.8–18) years were included. In the 21 children who had comparable sleep studies before and after starting HU, mean SpO2 was higher (95.2% from 93.5%, p=0.01) and nadir SpO2 was higher (87.2% from 84.3%, p=0.009) when taking HU. In 32 of the children, spot daytime oxygen saturations were also higher (96.3% from 93.5%, p=0.001).Conclusion Children with SCD had higher oxygen saturation overnight and on daytime spot checks after starting HU. These data suggest HU may be helpful for treating persistent hypoxaemia in children with SCD pending more evidence from a randomised clinical trial.