Low Depression Rates Among Caregivers of Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease: A Rapid Report

Lay Summary Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a serious condition that affects children from birth, causing pain, anemia, and neurocognitive delays. Caring for a child with SCD can be stressful for families, especially when accessing specialized medical care is difficult. Previous research has shown mixed results about whether caregivers of children with SCD experience depression. This study screened for depression in 47 caregivers of very young children (0-5 years) with SCD using a brief screening tool called the PROMIS. The study also looked at the association between neighborhood advantage and depression. The findings showed that most caregivers (94%) scored similar to the general population, with only three caregivers reporting scores indicative of elevated depression. Neighborhood advantage was not associated with caregiver depression scores. These results suggest that caregivers of very young children with SCD may not experience significant depressive symptoms. Preventive interventions during the first years of life may be a strategy to support families before more serious disease complications may intensify.