Complicaciones en pacientes con diagnóstico de Anemia falciforme atendidos en la Emergencia del Hospital del Niño Dr. Francisco de Icaza Bustamante, período 2018- 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: sickle cell anemia is a hereditary blood disorder that leads to multiple complications, among which chronic anemia is included. Objective: to determine the complications associated with the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia in patients treated in the Emergency Department of the Hospital del Niño Dr. Francisco Icaza Bustamante during the period from 2018 to 2022. Methodology: an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted. Demographic and clinical data were recorded for subsequent statistical analysis. Results: a total of 116 patients with sickle cell anemia were evaluated. The largest proportion of patients was in the age group of 6 to 11 years (40.5%), with a male predominance (23.3%). In terms of severity, 58% of the patients presented a moderate degree of the disease, while 38% had a milder degree severe. Statistical analysis showed that 94.0% of the patients had chronic anemia, and 55.2% of them experienced vaso-occlusive crises, with a statistically significant association (p = 0.002). However, no significant association was found between the type of anemia and other acute complications, such as fever without focus (p = 0.262), splenic sequestration (p = 0.549), and renal complications (p = 0.344). Regarding pulmonary hypertension, 2.6% of patients with chronic anemia developed it, but without statistical significance (p > 0.05). Hemolysis and vascular osteonecrosis also showed no significant association (p = 0.718 and p = 0.606, respectively). A significant relationship was observed concerning blindness, with a p-value of 0.044. Finally, the need for surgical procedures was higher in patients with chronic anemia, with 9.5% undergoing cholecystectomy, indicating a greater burden of complications in this group. Conclusions: The findings suggest the need to implement stricter follow-up programs and education to improve treatment adherence and, consequently, the quality of life of these patients.