ABSTRACT

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by a chronic course and disabling complications including recurrent pain attacks. Children and adolescents with SCD appear to be at risk for adjustment problems and impaired psychosocial functioning. The available research indicates that children and adolescents with SCD have a lower quality of life and a higher frequency of neuro-psychiatric problems than that of normal controls. Among the neuro-psychiatric problems, depression, anxiety disorders, learning disorders, externalizing behavior problems, enuresis and attention difficulties are commenly reported. This article aims to review the current literature on psychiatric disorders and learning problems in children and adolescents with SCD.