Morbidity and mortality pattern in hospitalized children with sickle cell disorders at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

Objectives : To determine the causes of hospitalization and outcome of children with sickle cell disorders at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Methods : Case files of patients with sickle cell disease who were admitted between March 2009 and February 2012 were analysed. Data extracted include demographic variables, diagnoses, types of crises, associated infections, complications and outcome of treatment. Results : There were 174 admissions of 161 children with a male female ratio of 1.3:1. Their ages ranged from nine months to 18 years with a mean of 7.3(4.0) years. Vasoocclusive crisis was present in 107 (61.5%), hyper haemolytic crisis in 29 (16.7%) and acute splenic  sequestration in 12 (6.9 %) of all admissions. Associated infections were septicaemia in 56 (32.2 %), malaria in 49 (28.2 %), acute osteomyelitis in 24 (13.8%), pneumonia in 23 (13.2%), urinary tract infection in 12 (6.9%) and septic arthritis in 10 (5.7%). Haematocrit was less than 15 % in 36 (20.7%) and blood transfusion administered in 68 (39.1%) of admissions. There were three (1.7%) deaths from  cerebrovascular accident, adverse reaction to blood transfusion and meningitis. Conclusion : Prevention and prompt management of crises and infections in sickle cell disease is recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality.