Sickle Cell: Acute Chest Syndrome
Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.
Clinical Pathway:
- Sickle Cell Disease: Acute Chest Syndrome Algorithm
- Sickle Cell Disease: Acute Chest Syndrome Synopsis (provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway)
Inclusion criteria:
- A child with sickle cell disease presenting with suspected acute chest syndrome:
- Chest imaging findings of a new segmental pulmonary infiltrate with consolidation, not atelectasis – with -
- One or more new symptoms or signs: cough, chest pain, hypoxemia, tachypnea, acute fever > 38.5° C
Committee members involved in the development:
- Shabnam Arsiwala, MD, FAAP | Hematology/Oncology/BMT | Committee Co-Chair
- Vivek Dubey, MD | Pediatric Emergency Medicine | Committee Co-Chair
- Jay Rilinger, MD | Critical Care Medicine | Committee Member
- Megan Gubichuk, MD | Pulmonology | Committee Member
- Sarah Dierking, MSN, RN, CPHQ | Clinical Practice and Quality | Committee Member
EBP Committee Members:
- Todd Glenski, MD, MSHA, FASA | Anesthesiology, Evidence Based Practice
- Kelli Ott, OTD, OTR/L | Evidence Based Practice
Publication dates:
- Finalized date: 07/2025
- Next expected revision date: 07/2028
Concerns with content:
If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu.
These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.