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[Effects of age on causes of hospitalization in children suffering from sickle cell disease]
J R Mabiala-Babela1, S A T Nkanza-Kaluwako, P S Ganga-Zandzou
1Service de pédiatrie-nourrissons, CHU BP. 32, Brazzaville, Congo. j.mabialababela@caramail.com
Insights
Sickle cell disease in children frequently leads to hospitalizations from vaso-occlusive crises, anemia, and infections. Age-specific prevention strategies are crucial for managing complications and improving outcomes in pediatric sickle cell disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
- Public Health
Context:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a significant global health concern, particularly in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the epidemiology of SCD complications is vital for effective healthcare planning in endemic regions.
- This study focuses on SCD in children hospitalized in Brazzaville, Congo, providing regional insights.
Purpose:
- To determine the frequency and nature of complications in children with sickle cell disease.
- To analyze the prognosis and mortality rates associated with SCD in pediatric patients.
- To identify age-specific patterns of SCD manifestations and hospitalizations.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 251 children with SCD hospitalized between 2002-2003 at Brazzaville Teaching Hospital.
- Key hospitalization causes included infections (36.6%), vaso-occlusive crises (26.7%), and anemia (20.3%).
- Mortality was 4.8%, higher in children under five, with anemia crises being a leading cause of death.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant burden of SCD complications in Congolese children.
- Underscores the need for age-tailored primary and secondary prevention strategies for pediatric SCD.
- Informs public health initiatives and clinical management guidelines for SCD in similar settings.
Abstract:
The objective of this work was to assess the frequency the nature of complications and prognosis of the disease in children suffering from sickle cell disease. This retrospective study was conducted from January 2002 to December 2003 among 251 children suffering from sickle cell disease, hospitalized at the Brazzaville Teaching Hospital, Congo. The main hospitalization causes were dominated by the vaso-occlusive crisis (26.7%), anaemic crisis (20.3%) and infections (36.6%). The vaso-occlusive crisis were observed particularly in the 5 year-old children (p < 0.05); the hand-foot syndrome concerned in particular children under 5 years old. Anaemic crisis were found almost exclusively in patients under 5 (p < 0.05). The infections in children under 5 (35.8%) were almost as frequent as in older children (37.4%). Some non infectious complications were only observed in children above 5: cholithiasis, 4 cases; heart failure, 4 cases; hip osteonecrosis, 1 case. Global mortality was 4.8% and higher in children under five (p > 0.05). In addition, the death causes were dominated by anaemic crisis. In conclusion, this study stresses on the need to implement a primary prevention as well as a secondary prevention adapted to age.
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