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Newark, NJ—Newark Beth Israel Medical Center has been recognized
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with a grant
of $1.6 million to provide continuity of care to sickle cell anemia
patients as they transition to adulthood. The hospital is one of
only seven sites nationally to receive funding. Children’s
Hospital of New Jersey (CHoNJ) already treats the most pediatric
sickle cell anemia cases in the state, and the federal money will
enhance the care these patients receive through adolescence and
beyond.
“As the largest adult sickle cell program in the state,
we understand the need for ongoing care of this lifelong disease,” says Alice
Cohen, M.D., Director of the Division of Hematology and Oncology
at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, an affiliate of the Saint
Barnabas Health Care System. “Many programs focus only on
pediatric patients, but our hospital has been recognized with grant
funding for our commitment to continuity of care for patients regardless
of age.”
The $1.6 million grant, awarded by the Health Resources and Services
Administration, ensures that patients and families receive sufficient
one-on-one education to build a foundation for self-care, self-monitoring,
and advocacy. Particular focus for this expansion has been with
patients ages 15 to 21, an age group in which treatment is often
neglected, resulting in acute symptoms and even unnecessary death.
Other grant benefits include training of health care workers,
coordinating care for newborn screenings, as well as the creation
of a comprehensive “medical home” for patients with
sickle cell anemia.
The state-designated sickle cell program at CHoNJ and NBIMC is
the largest in the state. The pediatric component is run through
the Valerie Fund Treatment Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders,
while the adult component operates from The Frederick B. Cohen, M.D.,
Cancer and Blood Disorder Center. The grant was obtained by Dr.
Cohen and co-senior investigators Wondwessen Bekele, M.D.,
Pediatric Hematologist /Oncologist and Andrew Eisenberger, M.D.,
Section Chief, Benign Hematology.
Understanding Sickle Cell Anemia
In New Jersey, approximately 80-90 infants are born each year
with sickle cell disease, according to Sickle Cell Advisory Committee
of New Jersey. Named for the unusually sickle-shaped red
blood cells caused by a genetic abnormality, sickle cell anemia
affects nearly 100,000 Americans.
““Fortunately, a child may live a full, productive
life with the disease, as physicians know much more about how to
manage it,” reports Peri Kamalakar, M.D., Director of Pediatric
Hematology and Oncology and co-director of the Comprehensive Hemophilia
Treatment Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes
anemia, increased susceptibility to infection, severe pain, strokes
and organ damage. A simple blood test can be administered to determine
if a person is a carrier or has sickle cell disease.
In the U.S., sickle cell disease is most commonly found in African
Americans. The disease can lead to pain, anemia, serious infections
and damage to major organs. The cells’ abnormal shape reduces
ability to deliver oxygen to organs and causes them to get stuck
in the blood vessels, leading to severe pain and hospitalizations.
Specialized Treatment
The goals of sickle cell treatment are to prevent infections,
relieve pain, and prevent or control complications. Infections
are the leading cause of death in sickle cell disease. Pain attacks
are the leading cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
Special measures are taken to reduce the severity of infections.
“This includes daily penicillin for children for at least the first five
years of life, special vaccines, and aggressive evaluation and treatment when
patients develop signs of infection,” says Dr. Kamalakar.
Vaccinations against pneumococcus, haemophilus influenza type
B, and meningococcus and hepatitis B and influenza are especially
important. Infection with the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, causes
more life-threatening complications than seasonal flu in children
with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusions are used to treat
complications. Annual eye examination for retina disease is also
needed.
Dr. Kamalakar says one of the most important aspects of caring
for these children and adolescents is educating families about
the illness and how to prevent crises. Children learn about the
importance of dressing warmly, drinking plenty of fluids, not over-exerting
themselves, and pain management.
“We work toward the day when new therapies will offer even more options
and relief for sickle cell families,” says Dr. Kamalakar.
For more information
Please contact the Valerie Fund Children’s Center at CHoNJ
at
(973) 926-7161, which operates 24 hours a day, or the Frederick
B. Cohen, MD, Comprehensive Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at
(973) 926-7230.
For More Information
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, a 673-bed regional care teaching
hospital, provides comprehensive health care to its local communities
and is a major referral and treatment center for the northern New
Jersey metropolitan area. With more than 800 physicians, 3,200
employees and 150 volunteers, the Medical Center has over 300,000
outpatient visits and 25,000 admissions annually. The main phone
number for Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, located at 201 Lyons
Avenue at Osborne Terrace in Newark, is (973) 926-7000, or visit
www.barnabashealth.org. For physician referral information, please
call 1-888-724-7123. Follow us on Twitter: get real time news from
the Saint Barnabas Health Care System at www.twitter.com/barnabas_health
Date: March 1, 2010
Contact: Beth Salamon
Public Relations
Phone: 973.322.4926
esalamon@barnabashealth.org
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