Conclusion
In conclusion, this study showed that the negative impact of
hospitalization in children with SCD persists at least up to 12 months.
Health care providers should focus on the prevention of VOCs, but in
case hospitalization for VOC occurs, optimal attention and guidance is
recommended for the after effects of hospitalization for VOC. This study
underlines the importance of measuring HRQoL in children with SCD
systematically to identify timely impaired HRQoL and to intervene
accordingly. Future research should focus on how hospitalization for VOC
affects HRQoL and whether this effect persists beyond 12 months. This
may help healthcare providers develop standardized yet tailored
interventions to target specific aspects of functioning such as physical
functioning, improving HRQoL of pediatric patients with SCD.