Cognitive functioning in children from Nigeria with sickle cell anemia

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Genetics

Background:

• Cognitive impairment is a significant neurological complication of sickle cell anemia (SCA).
• Nigeria has the highest global burden of SCA, yet studies on cognitive impairment in Nigerian children are limited.
• This study investigates cognitive functioning in Nigerian children with SCA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cognitive functioning between Nigerian children with SCA and healthy controls.
• To explore the association between cognitive functioning and demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric factors in children with SCA.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 56 children with SCA and 44 comparison children in Nigeria.
• Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Version IV, measuring estimated IQ (Est. IQ), working memory (WM), and processing speed (PS).
• Anthropometric and laboratory data were collected.

Main Results:

• Children with SCA performed significantly worse on Est. IQ (84.58 vs. 96.10) and PS (86.69 vs. 96.91) compared to controls.
• No significant difference in WM was observed between the groups.
• Lower Est. IQ and PS in children with SCA were associated with age, maternal education, weight-for-age Z scores, and height-for-age Z scores.

Conclusions:

• Nigerian children with SCA exhibit impaired cognitive functioning, specifically in estimated IQ and processing speed, relative to their peers.
• Sociodemographic and anthropometric factors correlate with cognitive deficits in children with SCA.
• Further research is needed to understand and address cognitive impairment in this population.