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| |    Air Travel with Sickle Cell Disease by Lewis Hsu, M.D., Ph.D. and Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Allan Platt, PA-C Children with sickle cell disease generally adapt well to air travel, but it can create difficulties for some. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to predict if your child will sail through just fine or be among the ones who run into trouble. For this reason, it helps to know about potential problems so that you can take preventive measures or deal with them head-on if they should occur. Pressurized cabins Although commercial jets fly at around 30,000 feet altitude, where the oxygen is extremely low, their cabins are pressurized to keep the oxygen level equivalent to that at 8,000 feet. While this oxygen level is adequate for most children with sickle cell, some youngsters need more. To play it safe, call the airline ahead of time to find out what altitude the flight will reach and what procedures are in place for the use of supplemental oxygen. And keep in mind: Even if your child does experience complications from the low oxygen level, it doesn't mean she'll have a problem every time she flies. Dehydration The air both in airports and on planes tends to be dry, so children with sickle cell disease need to drink more than usual to avoid becoming dehydrated. This is easy enough to prevent: Just pack an extra sippy cup or sports bottle filled with water or juice in your carry-on bag. Altitude at destination Children with sickle cell probably won't experience trouble in cities with high altitudes such as Denver or Mexico City. The surrounding mountains are another story, though. Be aware that the higher you go, the more likely your child will develop pain or other sickle cell-related problems. Medical care Don't forget to take routine precautions, even if your child is symptom free. Be sure to take along some documentation of your child's medical history in the event that she requires emergency care--a record of past complications, treatments, allergies, and other medical problems is an invaluable resource for the doctors who treat your child. Also have on hand the contact numbers for your child's primary healthcare provider in case you need to reach her. Another smart move: Ask that same doctor if she can recommend a particular treatment center or provider at your destination. Stress and fatigue Although indirectly related, stress and fatigue often are part of the travel experience. After arriving at a new destination, be sure to limit your child's activities so that they don't become exhausted and trigger a pain episode.
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