TITLE:
Infections and Sickle Cell Disease in Children
AUTHORS:
Indou Deme/Ly, Boris Gouba, Ibrahima Diop, Awa Kane, Yaye Joor Dieng, Aminata Mbaye, Yaye Fatou Mbodj Diop, Ginette Ndong, Maîmouna Diallo, Fatoumata Fofana/Diouf, Mame Betty Diop, Abou Ba, Babacar Niang, Aliou Thiongane, Idrissa Demba Ba, Papa Moctar Faye, Amadou Lamine Fall, Ibrahima Diagne, Ousmane Ndiaye
KEYWORDS:
Sickle Cell Disease, Infections, Pneumococcus, Children
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.16 No.1,
January
19,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Children with major sickle cell syndromes (MCS) are particularly vulnerable to infections, which can compromise their life expectancy and quality of life. Our objective was to study the profile of these infections in children followed in a specialized unit within an urban pediatric hospital, and more specifically, to describe the sociodemographic and epidemiological aspects, analyze the clinical, microbiological, and evolutionary profiles, and investigate associated factors. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective, descriptive, and analytical study conducted at the Outpatient Unit for Children and Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease (USAD) of the Albert Royer National Children’s Hospital in Dakar, Senegal. We included children under 16 years of age who were being treated for sickle cell disease and who experienced infectious episodes between January 2 and December 31, 2023. Those whose infections were not documented or whose records could not be located were not included. Data were analyzed using R software, version 4.4.1, and Excel Professional Plus 2021. Results: At the end of our study, we recorded a total of 4654 consultations, including 1785 for emergencies and 508 for infections. Infections represented 28.46% of emergency visits and 10.92% of consultations in the Ambulatory Healthcare Unit for Children and Teenagers (USAD). However, 280 (55.1%) met our inclusion criteria. Males were predominant (53.92%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.15. The mean age was 109.88 ± 108 months, and 41.87% were between 5 and 10 years old. The homozygous SS form was the most frequent (93.63%), and the mean baseline hemoglobin level was 7.84 g/dL. 90.73% of the children were up-to-date with their Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Senegal. In addition, 55.12% had received the typhus vaccine and 30.24% the pneumococcal vaccine. Furthermore, 35.12% of the children had received oral penicillin prophylaxis, and 38.54% had received malaria prophylaxis. Fever was the most frequent symptom, observed in 76.73% of patients. The majority of infections were Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) infections (35.35%). Bacterial infection was the most common (74.64%), and the most frequent pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (3), Escherichia coli (3), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2). First-line antibiotic therapy was administered to 91.2% of patients, and the outcome was favorable in 83.57%. Conclusion: In our study, bacterial ENT and respiratory infections were more frequent. Children aged 5 to 10 years were more affected, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most frequent pathogen. Hence the importance of oral penicillin antibiotic prophylaxis and pneumococcal vaccination.