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Research Article Volume 16 Issue 1
Repeated vaso-occlusive crisis, severe anemia and poor follow-up are the main risk factors for stroke in sickle cell disease, in female children under 10 years: a retrospective cohort study in Yaounde (Cameroon)
Nguefack Félicitée, Kago-Tague Daniel Armand, Siaka Linda Laure, Sophie Nzotsa, Tony Nengom Jocelyne, Dongmo Tsopfack Félicie Cindy, Nguefack Séraphin, Mbassi Awa Hubert Désiré
Received: January 22, 2026 | Published: February 5, 2026
Citation: Nguefack F, Kago-Tague DA, Siaka LL, et al. Repeated vaso-occlusive crisis, severe anemia and poor follow-up are the main risk factors for stroke in sickle cell disease, in female children under 10 years: a retrospective cohort study in Yaounde (Cameroon). J Pediatr Neonatal Care. 2026;16(1):8-12. DOI: 10.15406/jpnc.2026.16.00611
Abstract
Introduction: the risk of stroke before the age of 18 is 11% in children living with sickle cell disease , in the absence of detection and prevention. The aim of the study was to determine the factors associated with the development of stroke in a context where transcranial Doppler ultrasound is not always available. Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study over a seven-year period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2024. The children living with sickle cell disease included in the study were organized into two groups; a group of those who had suffered a stroke and the other those hospitalized for other complications. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical variables were analysed in order to identify factors associated with stroke using multivariate tests. Results: Of the 1,984 cases recorded, 59 had suffered from stroke, representing an incidence of 2.9%. The factors associated with the occurrence of stroke were: age under 10 years (OR: 2.5; p=0.006), female gender (OR: 1.7; p=0.04), irregular follow-up (OR: 2.2, p= 0.001), a history of regular vaso-occlusive crises (OR: 1.8; p= 0.025), a history of severe anemia (OR: 328.5; p<0.001) or previous transient ischemic attack (TIA) (OR: 108.8; p<0.001). Conclusion: Enhanced therapeutic monitoring of children with sickle cell disease in urban areas of Cameroon could reduce the risk of stroke, particularly in those under the age of 10 with a history of recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis and severe anemia.
Keywords: risk factor, stroke, sickle cell disease, transcranial doppler ultrasound, children, Yaoundé-Cameroon
©2026 Nguefack, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.