Pediatric Clinicians' Guide to Nutrition and Growth in Children with Sickle Cell Disease.

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of growth faltering due to elevated energy demands that are often unmet by dietary intake. Effective strategies to address growth faltering emphasize routine growth monitoring, dietary assessment, and screening for food insecurity. Management includes higher-calorie, higher-protein diets, addressing food insecurity, and targeted micronutrient supplementation. Treatments, such as hydroxyurea and transfusions, may further support healthy growth patterns. Referrals to dietitians, pediatric gastroenterologists, and endocrinologists are available to address persistent growth concerns or additional medical issues. Multidisciplinary care and regular monitoring are essential to optimize growth and health outcomes.