Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, also known as COVID-19, has spread rapidly around the world since its outbreak in China. It constitutes a health emergency of international concern [1]. The infection may remain asymptomatic or manifest as cough, fever, anosmia, dyspnea, especially in the elderly [2]. In children, the clinical picture is far from being specific and may include, in addition to respiratory signs, digestive disorders. According to several authors, the infection is less serious in children compared to adults [3].

Although the clinical features of this disease are not yet fully understood, the severe form is thought to occur mainly in adults with advanced age and those with underlying comorbidities [4]. Sickle cell disease is an immune-depressing disorder that puts patients at a higher risk of respiratory infections and serious pulmonary complications such as acute chest syndrome [5]. Here we report two pediatric cases of COVID-19 who had SS sickle cell anemia and presented with severe symptoms; one had recovered and the other was deceased.

An 18-month-old infant, male, weight 9 kg, was seen at the Ziguinchor peace hospital for a cough, rhinorrhea and fever that had progressed for 7 days. The parents had consulted two days after the onset of the signs at a local pharmacy which had prescribed amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, paracetamol. This symptomatology worsened with dyspnea requiring consultation in our department. The examination noted a temperature of 40˚C, severe hypoxic respiratory distress with 93% SaO₂ in ambient air; severe mucocutaneous pallor. The biological assessment returned with the blood count (White Blood Cells: 18,460/mm³; Hemoglobin: 6.0 g/dl; Platelets: 382,000/mm³), the C-Reactive Protein: 24 mg/l. The plasmodium falciparum rapid diagnostic test was negative. The blood culture was negative. A nasopharyngeal swab was positive for COVID-19. Emmel’s test (TE) was positive and hemoglobin electrophoresis found sickle cell anemia with an SS profile (Hb S 75.6%; Hb A2 2.0% and Hb F 22.4%). Chest x-ray: bilateral alveolar syndrome (Figure 1). Thoracic CT, done on the 10th day of hospitalization, showed the persistence of the alveolar syndrome (Figure 2). Severe pneumonia in a field of homozygous SS sickle cell disease was suggested. The same day, the child was admitted to the pediatric department of the Ziguinchor Peace Hospital due to lack of space at the Ziguinchor Epidemic Treatment Center (CTE). Bi-antibiotic therapy based on cefotaxime 500 mg × 3/d, gentamycin

40 mg/d was started after collection of the blood culture. Antibiotic therapy was combined with an anti-pyretic based on perfalgan 13 ml every 6 hours, folic acid 1 tablet every two days, hydration: 1000 ml in 24 hours and oxygenation through glasses: 3 l/minutes. A blood transfusion of 90 ml of red blood cell pellet was made over 4 hours at 22.5 ml/hour.

In view of the COVID-19 positivity, additional treatment with azithromycin, zinc and vitamin C was added on the third day. The patient was discharged on the 10th day of hospitalization with stable apyrexia and complete improvement in clinical signs. Figure 3 shows the change in temperature and in oxygen saturation during hospitalization.

15-year-old boy, weight 25 kg, was received at the center 08/04/2020 at the health center of Thionck-Essyl for: dyspnea, cough and fever evolving for two days. The examination noted a temperature of 39˚C, severe respiratory distress; severe mucocutaneous pallor and being underweight. Oxygen saturation was not taken. Interrogation of his family members revealed a notion of sickle cell disease among the siblings. The biological assessment returned with the blood count (White Blood Cells: 29,100/mm³; Hemoglobin: 5.1 g/dl; Platelets: 832,000/mm³), the C-Reactive Protein: 96 mg/l. The plasmodium falciparum rapid diagnostic test was negative. A nasopharyngeal swab was positive for COVID-19. Emmel’s test (TE) was positive and hemoglobin electrophoresis found sickle cell anemia with an SS profile (Hb S 78.6%; Hb A2 at 2.4% and Hb F at 19.0%). Blood culture and chest x-ray were not performed.

Severe pneumonia on the ground of sickle cell disease has been mentioned. The parents refused to transfer the child to the Ziguinchor CTE. In front of this clinical picture, he was hospitalized at the Thionck-Essyl health center. Antibiotic-based treatment was started: ceftriaxone 1000 mg/day, gentamicin 80 mg/day,

azithromycin 250 mg/day. Antibiotic therapy was associated with symptomatic treatment: paracetamol-based anti-pyretics 40 ml every 6 hours, hydration: 500 ml of isotonic saline (SSI) in 24 hours, injectable iron, zinc and vitamin c. The patient died after 72 hours of hospitalization.

Infectious complications are described as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with sickle cell disease. The main factors explaining the high susceptibility of sickle cell patients to infections, including viral infections, are functional asplenia and phagocytosis disorders [6]. The most serious infections are bacteremia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia. Pneumococcus and salmonella are the most common bacteria [7]. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae are often the cause of severe pneumonia leading to acute chest syndrome [8]. Among viral infections, parvovirus B19 gives acute erythroblastopenia which is generally well tolerated. Influenza can cause respiratory crises and complications justifying vaccine prevention [8].

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak caused by the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has led to a global health emergency. Compared to the general population, patients with sickle cell disease are expected to be more severely affected by COVID-19 due to their pre-existing chronic morbidities. The supposed severity of this COVID 19 infection in this field of sickle cell disease is the occurrence of acute chest syndrome (ATS) which was the case for our two patients. STA is defined by any new pulmonary image, of the alveolar infiltrate type including at least one segment excluding atelectasis, associated with one of the following symptoms: chest pain, fever or dyspnea, in a patient with major sickle cell syndrome (homozygous SS or double heterozygous SC, Sβ thalassemia) [8] [9]. ATS is the second reason for hospitalization of children with sickle cell disease and pediatric mortality is around 2% [8]. However, respiratory deterioration with the onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) becomes synonymous with a major worsening of the prognosis with mortality between 22% and 27% in the pediatric population [10]. This acute pulmonary attack is rarely isolated, it is triggered by a number of causes or factors [9]. An American study evaluated, in 30 centers and over 671 episodes, the possible etiologies of ATS in an essentially pediatric population [8]. The results show a probable high frequency of viral infections (6%), infections with atypical bacteria (7%) and fat embolism (9%).

Our two clinical cases presented with COVID 19 pneumonia responsible for STA.

For all these reasons, recommendations to health professionals and sickle cell patients have been made since the start of the pandemic [11].

The frosted-glass CT scan, found in clinic number 1, is quite common at the onset of Covid 19 infection. This was found in the study by Heshui Shi et al., [12]; in the study by Abdelbassat Ketfi et al., [13].

However, there are very few clinical studies confirming the potential severity of COVID 19 infection in children with sickle cell disease. In France, the results of a preliminary study comparing sickle cell and non-sickle cell patients infected with covid 19 show that COVID-19 is not more serious in patients with sickle cell disease SS and Sβ and aged less than 45 years. The results of this study also suggest that vaso-occlusive crisis may complicate COVID-19 infection, occurring in approximately half of hospitalized patients with sickle cell disease [14]. The authors of this French study hypothesized a protective effect against COVID-19 in SS homozygous patients and Sβ composite heterozygotes. Indeed, the high plasma interferon concentration could fight against the viral replication of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus [15].

Once ATS has been diagnosed, management should be based on oxygenation; broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy (3rd generation cephalosporin, macrolide), ventilation as needed. Transfusion or transfusion exchange is often necessary [8]. Hydroxy urea is indicated after an ATS episode or when transfusion exchange is not available [16]. Our clinical case number 1 could be transfused. A week after discharge from the hospital, the child is put on hydroxy urea (hydrea *). This was not the case for clinical case number 2.

The diagnosis of sickle cell anemia was made at the time of this pulmonary infection for both patients, which is in line with a late diagnosis of sickle cell anemia in our work context. Indeed, the diagnosis of sickle cell disease is rarely made before the age of two and neonatal screening is not systematic in Senegal [7]. Thus the early discovery of sickle cell anemia depends on the early warning signs. However, reliable neonatal screening techniques have been available for over 40 years and the systematization of neonatal screening in the Ziguinchor region would make it possible to detect early the majority of hemoglobinopathies, especially sickle cell anemia.

COVID-19 infection is severe in children with homozygous sickle cell SS. Transfusion is necessary to improve emergency care. We advise children and parents of children with sickle cell disease to comply with the specific recommendations of the national disease control directorate.

The authors declare that they have no links of interest.

Thiam, L., Manga, N.M., Aidara, C.M., Fall, A.L., Diagne, I. and Ndiaye, O. (2020) COVID-19 Infection and Homozygous SS Sickle Cell Disease in Children: About Two Cases in Ziguinchor/Senegal. Open Journal of Pediatrics, 10, 744-750. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojped.2020.104075