Abstract
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVE: The admission of children with sickle cell anaemia into the Paediatric ward of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, (UNTH) Enugu was retrospectively reviewed to ascertain their pattern and outcome. Such data are useful in guiding future health policies on such children. Medical files of patients with sickle cell anaemia who were admitted between May 1998 and April 2002 were analyzed. Their clinical features, investigations done, diagnosis on admission, complications and subsequent outcome of admissions were noted. More children were admitted during the rainy season. (p<0.05) Male: Female ratio was 1.2:1. More children (70.4%) failed to comply with treatment of which a statistically significant number came from the lower social class (p = 0.001). Infections were the commonest cause of admission (69.6%). Severe anaemia was the commonest complications (39.4%). Mortality occurred in 8.5%. Intensive counseling of patients, with the involvement of Social workers and health visitors, is strongly advocated. There is need for antibiotic prophylaxis for all children with sickle cell anaemia.
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