Systematic Psychological and Medical Care for Children With SCD

In this observational multicentric pilot study, our goal is to assess the effectiveness of a systematic medical-psychological approach in place for the past 6 years at the Louis Mourier Hospital, as compared to the usual practice in 2 other pediatric hospitals for SCD which focus essentially on the medical issues associated with SCD. Two psychologists will interview 80 children and their primary care-takers at Louis Mourier hospital, and 80 children and their care-takers of the other two centers, using a standard comprehensive care for SCD. For the parents, we propose to use a semi-structured interview including a prepared interview guide, the Loneliness Questionnaire, and the parents' version of KIDSCREEN (10 items). For the children, according to their age, The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF), the Draw a Person in the Rain Test (DPR), the KIDSCREEN questionnaire, and semi-directed interview will be used. Relevant information from the patients' medical record directly related to the symptomatic expression of the SCD will be noted on a data collection form. This phase is scheduled to last 12 months. A statistical and qualitative analysis of the results will be carried out at the end of the study.

Inclusion criteria

• children with sickle cell disease
• treated in one of the three investigational centers
• All major forms of the disease will be studied regardless of the country of origin.

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal of the parents or the child to participate.
• Child or parent living in France for less than 6 months