Epidemiological and clinical aspects of the sickle cell disease in patients aged 0 to 15 years in Butembo, Eastern DR Congo, from January 2017 to December 2019

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is an inherited disease of autosomal transmission, clinically recessive and biologically co-dominant, characterized by the presence in red blood cells of an abnormal hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical aspects of sickle cell disease in patients aged 0 to 15 years in the city of Butembo, eastern DR Congo. Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study that spanned a period of 3 years from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. Our sample was extensive. Our population consisted of all patients aged 0 – 15 years hospitalized in the pediatric department of the structure concerned by the study. The data was processed and analyzed by the Epi Info version 7 computer software. Results: The frequency of sickle cell disease found during the years 2017, 2018, and 2019 was 2.01% with a slight male predominance, sexratio of 1.453. The age group between 6 and 10 years was the most found. The study proves that patients presented themselves much more with as a reason for consultation: joint pain followed by mucocutaneous pallor in the proportions of 21.71% and 15.36%, respectively. The hemoglobin level associated with the Emmel test and the blood type and rhesus associated with hemoglobin and white blood cell count were the most commonly requested tests in sickle cell patients in the proportions of 43.03% and 14.63%. Folic acid, hydraa combined with folic acid were more prescribed than other drugs in the proportions of 17.39% and 16.84%. 95% of sickle cell disease followed in hospital were discharged improved, 1.65% were discharged dead, 2.71% remained in the status quo, and 0.54% escaped. Conclusion: Sickle cell disease is common in our community. Despite its frequency and its seriousness, it remains unknown to the public, and this ignorance gives rise to false information and a veil of silence, handicapping its care