TITLE:
Sickle Cell Disease in Children at Agadez (Niger): Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Management
AUTHORS:
Amadou Djibrilla-Almoustapha, Badé Malam-Abdou, Samira Abdou-Yazi Garo, Hamed Dourfaye Ibrahim-Moumouni, Moustapha Elhadji-Chefou, Moustapha Maman-Brah, Oumarou Adamou-Chaibou, Fanta Ousseini, Mariama Boureima, Safia Mahamadou, Adamou Sidi-Halidou, Samira Adika-Konaté, Malika Saidou-Sabo, Nadia Nouhou-Tanda, Abdramane Moumouni-Sina, Mahaman Saifou Moustapha-Ali
KEYWORDS:
Sickle Cell Disease, CSME, Agadez, Niger
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Blood Diseases,
Vol.16 No.1,
March
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine the epidemiological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of major sickle cell syndromes followed at the Agadez Mother and Child Health Center. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive, and analytical study including all sickle cell patients, regardless of age or sex, registered from February 1, 2025, to July 31, 2025. Results: 150 cases of sickle cell disease were recorded out of 2578 patients, representing a frequency of 5.81%. The majority of patients were between 24 and 60 months old (34%). Males predominated, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5. Consanguinity was reported in 40% of cases. The homozygous SS sickle cell diseases was predominant, accounting for 99.33%. Hand-foot syndrome was the most frequent presenting symptom, occurring in 32.67% of cases. Acute hemolytic anemia was the most frequent acute complication, occurring in 95.33% of cases. Anemia was severe in 39.33% of cases. All patients received at least one therapeutic education session. Treatment was primarily preventive, focusing on avoiding the triggering factor. Conclusion: Sickle cell disease remains a public health problem in Niger and requires improved diagnostic and therapeutic resources.