COVID-19 infection and pain in adolescents with sickle cell disease: A case series.

Adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) have been shown to have pain-related sequelae following COVID-19 infection. In this case series, we discuss five adolescents with SCD and SARS-CoV-2 infection who subsequently developed complex pain circumstances manifested as: (1) increased frequency of acute care visits or admissions for pain; (2) new onset chronic pain; (3) new onset neuropathic pain; (4) escalation in the complexity of pharmacologic therapies; (5) increased use of nonpharmacologic interventions. While more research is needed to fully understand the implications of COVID-19 infection on pain in adolescents with SCD, these cases suggest the presence of a complex relationship.