Causes and Recommendations for Fever in Sickle Cell Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department: A Single-Center Study

Abstract

Background Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are prone to bacterial infections, culminating in life-threatening incidences. Early evaluation of children with SCD helps in effective management and support. Methodology A retrospective study was conducted using medical records for febrile episodes in SCD children ≤14 years of age who presented to the Emergency Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2015 to 2018. A total of 304 episodes were encountered in the Emergency Department during this period. Results The clinical diagnosis included confirmed bacterial infection (4.5%), presumed bacterial infection (24.6%), and those without bacterial infection (57.5%). The incidence of bacteremia was found in 3.0% of the episodes and urinary tract infection in 1.5%. The most common isolates were Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus viridians , Salmonella species, and Escherichia coli . Overall, 52% of the febrile episodes resulted in hospitalization, of which 74% had at least one prior hospitalization. The hospitalization probability across the two sexes was statistically insignificant (p = 0.029). The likelihood of admission increased with age (p < 0.001) and temperature (p < 0.001). The study included 140 children with SCD who had at least one abdominal sonogram performed at our hospital between 2015 and 2018. There were changes in the radiographic appearance of the spleen in patients with SCD who were expected to undergo autosplenectomy between the ages of five and 17 years. Conclusions The study envisages the risk associated with febrile episodes and the prompt recovery of such patients through clinical confirmations. Parents should be aware and observant of the complications of infectious illnesses for speedy medical assistance.