The Pediatric Clinician’s Approach for Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide Ideation in Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2026 Feb;73(1):97-118. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2025.08.011. Epub 2025 Sep 23.

ABSTRACT

Mental health conditions in sickle cell disease (SCD) are complex, requiring an integrated, multidisciplinary approach with a medical home model typically headed by the general pediatric clinician. Depression and anxiety are common in SCD and can adversely affect the quality of life, clinical outcomes, and mortality in SCD. Depression and anxiety screening is critical and should occur yearly, starting in adolescence or earlier if concerns arise. Evidence-based strategies for treatment include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and pharmacotherapy, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, with consideration for those medications that also treat neuropathic pain.

PMID:41207744 | DOI:10.1016/j.pcl.2025.08.011