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.