Epidemiology and treatment of relative anemia in children with sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy in the world, with the majority of cases in sub-Saharan Africa. Concomitant nutritional deficiencies, infections or exposure to environmental toxins exacerbate chronic anemia in children with SCD. The resulting relative anemia is associated with increased risk of strokes, poor cognitive function and impaired growth. It may also attenuate optimal response to hydroxyurea therapy, the only effective and practical treatment option for SCD in sub-Saharan Africa. This review will focus on the epidemiology, clinical sequelae, and treatment of relative anemia in children with SCD living in low and middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Areas covered: The causes and treatment of relative anemia in children with SCD in sub-Saharan Africa. The MEDLINE database was searched using medical subject headings (MeSH) and keywords for articles regarding relative anemia in children with SCD in sub-Saharan Africa. Expert commentary: Anemia due to nutritional deficiencies and infectious diseases such as helminthiasis and malaria are prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Their co-existence in children with SCD increases morbidity and mortality. Therefore, preventing, diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of this relative anemia will improve SCD-related outcomes in children in sub-Saharan Africa.
a Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion , Barau Dikko Teaching hospital/Kaduna State University , Kaduna , Nigeria.
Halima
H
Bello-Manga
b Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt-Meharry Center for Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease , Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville , TN , USA.
Michael R
MR
DeBaun
c Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Vanderbilt-Meharry Center for Excellence in Sickle Cell Disease , Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville , TN , USA.
Adetola A
AA
Kassim
D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D000740:Anemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology
Anemia; hookworm; iron deficiency anemia; malaria; sickle cell disease; stroke; sub-Saharan Africa