From cradle to commencement: transitioning pediatric sickle cell disease patients to adult providers.

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are surviving past childhood and well into adulthood. Concerns are raised as to who is going to care for these children as they reach adulthood. We have developed a 2-part transition program. We have transitioned 20 of our 18- to 27-year-old patients to adult providers recognizing that early preparation is essential. At the newborn's initial visit or transfer from another clinic the transition program is explained to the family. At age 13 years, all our patients are given a "Preparation for Transition" binder. This binder is reviewed in detail with the patient and parent on a regular basis. At 18 years of age, coordinating with the milestone of graduating from high school and depending on developmental age, the transition is completed. The goal is a continuum of care in the transition process.