Keywords
Namibia
Prevalence
Sickle cell disease
Sickle cell anemia
Hemoglobin
Burden
Hemolytic crisis
Aplastic crisis
Vaso occlusive crisis
Sequestration
Admission
How to Cite
Abstract
Background. Sickle cell disease (SCD) originated in the malarial regions of the tropics, where carriers are protected against death from malaria and hence enjoy an evolutionary advantage. The βS mutation is the archetypal example of natural selection in humans. Of the total population of Namibia (2.46 million), 72% are living in areas of active malaria transmission. Individuals with SCD suffer from various clinical manifestations.
Objectives. To document the clinical presentation and treatment outcome of paediatric patients with SCD admitted to Rundu State Intermediate Hospital in 2020 and 2021.
Methods. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using paediatric hospital records for patients admitted to Rundu Hospital.
Results. Over the 2-year study period, a total of 3 168 children were admitted to Rundu Hospital, with 1 527 and 1 641 admitted in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Of these children, 103 had SCD, which constituted a prevalence of 3.3%. Many of the children with SCD were male, aged between 1 and 5 years, and suffering from vaso-occlusive crisis.
Conclusion. The burden of SCD among admitted patients at Rundu Hospital was high, and vaso-occlusive crisis was the main clinical manifestation. Patients with SCD had access to adequate management. SCD should be diagnosed in newborns before the development of complications, and comprehensive care must be offered in the future in Namibia.
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