Ketamine as an Adjuvant Therapy for Acute Vaso Occlusive Crisis in Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease, a Pilot Study

The primary objective of the proposed study is to determine the potential role of Ketamine as an analgesic agent in pediatric sickle cell disease patients with refractory symptoms in acute (VOC). Our study design is as follows: Prospective observational study of 20 pediatric sickle cell disease patients with refractory pain to conventional analgesic regimens seen in the pediatric emergency medicine department. Consenting patients with refractory pain meeting inclusion criteria will be given a single intravenous bolus of Ketamine at a set dosage of 0.25 milligrams per kilogram of weight. Participants' perception of pain will then be recorded using standard pain scoring scales (FLACC score). Physiologic criteria such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, total analgesic pharmacologic requirements for adequate analgesia during hospitalization, and duration of hospitalization will be measured. Observational study group will continue to get standard of care outside of single bolus of Ketamine. 48 hour follow up after hospital discharge will be obtained to assess degree of pain control and general clinical status.