Prevention

Why?

• Daily penicillin V reduces Strep pneumoniae infections in children aged < 3 with sickle cell disease. The effect on other infections and mortality is unclear. ^a
• Penicillin prophylaxis cannot clearly be safely stopped in children with sickle cell disease older than five. ^d
• There is no good evidence to support the use of these drugs in adults. ^d

Penicillin reduces Strep pneumoniae infections in children

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	RRR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
children aged < 3 with sickle cell disease a	penicillin V	vitamin C	Strep pneumoniae infection at 15 months	12%	85% (31% to 100%)	9 (6 to 26)