Dear colleagues,

In the frame of the Transversal Field of Action on Cross border health, ERN-EuroBloodNet aims to evaluate the availability of Transcranial Doppler (TCD) for children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), as a highly specialized procedure required for the adequate management of these patients.

Specifically, the results of this survey will shed light on the availability of TCD in Europe allowing the identification of issues related to the lack of access, lack of training for staff, lack of adequate protocols for implementation of TCD and treatment afterwards, etc, which could be addressed through dedicated actions in the network.

We would really appreciate that you collaborate to this European mapping and forward it to your colleagues implicated in the management of pediatric patients with SCD, within or outside your center, it only will take you few minutes!

Thank you for your collaboration.

Raffaella Colombatti, MD, Pediatrician, AO Padua, Italy
Maddalena Casale, MD, Pediatrician, AOU - Second University - Naples, Italy
Daniela Cuzzubbo, MD, Pediatrician, Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer Firenze, Italy
Corrina McMahon, MD, Pediatrician, Children's Health Ireland, Ireland
Mariane de Montalembert, MD, Pediatrician, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, France
Vincenzo Voi, MD, Pediatrician, AOU S.Luigi Gonzaga, Italy


References:
- Yawn BP et al. Management of sickle cell disease: summary of the 2014 evidence-based report by expert panel members. JAMA. 2014 Sep 10;312(10):1033-48.;
- NHS Standard and Guidelines for Clinical Care. http://www.sct.screening.nhs.uk/standardsandguidelines.
- Colombatti R, Perrotta S, Samperi P et al. Organizing National Responses for rare blood disorders: the Italian experience with SCD in Childhood. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2013, 8:169