Neurological disorders in Nigerian children with homozygous sickle cell anaemia

• Published in: East African medical journal Vol. 66; no. 10; p. 653
• Main Authors: Izuora, G I, Kaine, W N, Emodi, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kenya 01-10-1989
• Subjects: Adolescent; Anemia, Sickle Cell - complications; Central Nervous System Diseases - epidemiology; Central Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Nigeria - epidemiology; Nigeria
• ISSN: 0012-835X

The pattern of associated Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders in children with homozygous sickle cell anaemia was studied over a 12-month period at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu. The relative incidence of associated neurological disorders was 1.3%, and the major varieties were cerebrovascular accidents (57.5%), meningitis (22.5%) and recurrent convulsions (10%). Intellectual impairment did not feature as a separate entity, but was observed in 27.5% of children with CNS complications. Although recurrent strokes were not frequently encountered, the hypertransfusion therapy was not practised because of relative scarcity of blood donors.