Despite having been established as the primary disease-modifying therapy for individuals with sickle cell anemia, hydroxyurea remains underused among children with the disease, according to data published in JAMA Network Open.
However, researchers did note “encouraging trends” in both Michigan and New York state Medicaid programs that point toward increased use of hydroxyurea since the implementation of revised guidelines, researchers wrote.
“Despite changes in clinical guidelines to recommend hydroxyurea for all children with sickle cell anemia starting in 2014, the majority