Perfil epidemiológico das crianças com anemia falciforme acompanhadas no Ambulatório de Hemoglobinopatias do HU-UFS (2015-2021)

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell anemia has a great potential for morbidity and mortality for affected patients. Neonatal screening allows early treatment and improves the outcome of children with this pathology. This research aims to draw an epidemiological profile of these patients. Method: Cross-sectional analytical observational study without a control group with data recorded in the electronic medical records of children followed up at the hemoglobinopathies outpatient clinic of the HU-UFS from 2015 to 2021. Main Results: 66 patients were included; 39 (59.09%) male; 27 (40.90%) were female; the average age in 2021 was 3.37 years; 50 (75.75%) began specialized follow-up early (< 4 months); 62 (93.93%) used prophylactic penicillin; 14 (21.21%) used hydroxyurea; 39 (59.09%) were hospitalized, 26 (39.39%) of these due to an infectious cause; 38 (57.57%) had painful crises; 32 (48.48%) received transfusions; 3(4.54%) had splenic sequestration; 3(4.54%) had acute chest syndrome. There were no differences in intercurrences between the early and late screened groups. Patients who used hydroxyurea had more complications than non-users. No deaths were recorded. Conclusion: Most patients received specialized care up to the 4th month of life. A good part made adequate use of the proposed treatment. The major cause of hospitalizations was infectious. About half of the patients had some clinical complication. Users of hydroxyurea had a higher number of intercurrences, which may be associated with the indication for the use of the medication. There was no significant difference in intercurrences in the group that started follow-up after 4 months of age.