INTRODUCTION
Several studies have documented the use of hydroxyurea (HU) as an
effective, safe and affordable oral drug for SCD 1,2but utilization remains poor in Nigeria 3,4 and most
parts of sub-Saharan Africa 5 partly because of safety
concerns. As a drug that selectively suppresses hematopoiesis in a
situation where enhanced erythropoiesis is desired6,
questions about its benefits and risks will always arise. Children who
have been followed up for over 15 years have shown no significant
toxicity in terms of growth and sexual development7.
Studies from Nigeria 8,9 and Africa including the
NOHARM and REACH studies 10–12, are increasingly
strengthening the general acceptance of HU as a safe intervention in
children with SCD in Africa thus dispelling fears about altered response
in African children because of host and environmental factors. As
efforts are made to improve its uptake in Nigeria, cases of accidental
ingestion may arise, which could further fuel the fear most families
have about HU toxicity. We, hereby, report this case of accidental
ingestion of a large dose of HU to further strengthen the safety profile
of HU and to advocate for increased use of this cheap disease-modifying
agent in Nigerian children with SCD.