Enhancing the Management of Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease by Integrating Functional Evaluation to Mitigate the Burden of Vaso-Occlusive Crises

Sickle cell disease (SCD) imposes a significant health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare professionals and resources are scarce. This opinion paper delves into the management strategies employed for vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in pediatric patients with SCD, advocating for the adoption of a transformative strategy. We explore the integration of functional assessment approaches into existing procedures, highlighting the potential of technology-assisted rehabilitation, including wearable sensors and digital biomarkers, to enhance the effectiveness of managing and preventing VOCs. Rehabilomics, as a comprehensive framework, merges rehabilitation-related data with biomarkers, providing a basis for personalized therapeutic interventions. Despite the promising advantages of these approaches, persistent obstacles such as the limited availability of rehabilitation programs, especially in resource-limited settings, pose challenges. This paper underscores the importance of a collaborative strategy to effectively address the unique obstacles faced by patients with SCD. This collaborative approach involves improving accessibility to rehabilitation services, incorporating technology-supported therapy, and fostering focused research endeavors. The primary objective of this comprehensive approach is to enhance the overall care of SCD patients, with a specific focus on preventing VOCs, as well as providing tailored (neuro)rehabilitation services in resource-limited settings. By examining the current state of SCD management and proposing transformative strategies, this opinion paper seeks to inspire collective action and collaboration to improve outcomes for pediatric SCD patients globally.