Background: It is believed that the current prevalence of malaria in endemic areas reflects selection for the carrier form of sickle cell trait through a survival advantage. Malaria has been incriminated as a great cause of mortality in people with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, people with SCD, a high-risk group, do not benefit from free or subsisized malaria prevention and treatment in Cameroon unlike other vulnerable groups which may be due to insufficient evidence to guide policy makers. This study aimed at describing clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of patients with malaria, determining the prevalence of malaria in hospitalized children and in those with SCD and without, compare frequency of presentation of malaria related complications (using clinical and laboratory elements that define severe malaria) between children admitted for malaria with SCD and those without and finally, determing the risk factors for death in children admitted for malaria. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of admission records of children age 1 to 18 years with a confirmed malaria diagnosis admitted at the Laquintinie Hospital during January 2015 through December 2018. Clinical features, laboratory characteristics and outcome of malarial infections, stratified by SCD status were studied. Patients with HIV infection, malnutrition, renal failure and discharged against medical advice were excluded from the study. Data were analysed using Epi-info 7 software and analysis done. Chi square test, Odds ratios, CI and student’s t test were used to determine association between variables. Statistical significance was set at p-value ≤0.05. Results: The prevalence of malaria was lower among children with SCD than it was among children without SCD (23.5% vs 44.9%). Similarly, among those with a positive microscopy, the mean parasite density was significantly lower among children with SCD than it was among children without SCD (22,875.6 vs 57,053.6 parasites/ μl with t-value − 3.2, p-value 0.002). The mean hemoglobin concentration was lower in SCD as compared to non SCD (5.7 g/l vs 7.4 g/l, t-value − 12.5, p-value < 0.001). Overall mortality in SCD was 3.4% and malaria was reponsible for 20.4% of these deaths as compared to the 35.4% in non SCD patients. Convulsion and impaired consciousness were significantly lower in SCD group (OR:0.1, CI: 0.1–0.3, p value < 0.01 and OR:0.1, CI:0.1–0.2, p-value < 0.001 respectively). Death was significantly higher in SCD patients with malaria as compared to SCD patients admitted for other pathologies (3.2% vs 1.5%., OR:2.2, CI:1–5, p-value 0.050). Conclusion: The SCD population has a lower mortality related to malaria compared to the non-SCD population. Meanwhile, within the SCD population, those admitted with malaria are twice more likely to die than those admitted for other pathologies. Jaundice, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were common in SCD with malaria, however no risk factors for malaria severity or malaria related death was identified.

Although sickle cell disease (SCD) children are highly susceptible to bacterial infections (BIs), there is a dreadful lack of data related to the burden and spectrum of BIs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the highest affected region with SCD. This study aimed to determine the burden and spectrum of BIs among SCD children hospitalized in a pediatric reference hospital in Cameroon, a SSA country. We conducted a retrospective analysis of records of children hospitalized from November 2012 to August 2015 in the SCD unit of the Mother and Child Centre of the Chantal Biya Foundation, Cameroon. We enrolled all known SCD children aged 15 years or less, hospitalized for a suspicion of BI and who presented a positive culture of a body specimen. A total of 987 SCD children were hospitalized during the study period. Cultures were positive for 96 patients (9.7%) among whom 60.4% males. Ages ranged from 6 to 192 months with a median of 53 (Interquartile range (IQR) 21–101) months. For children no more covered by the Expanded Programme on Immunization, only 13 (18.8%) had received the Pneumo 23® and Meningo A&C® antigens, and 12 (17.4%), the Typhim vi® and the Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens; 58 children (84.1%) had received no vaccine. The specimen yielding positive cultures were: blood (70.7%), urine (13.1%), pus (9.1%), synovial fluid (4.1%), cerebrospinal fluid (2.0%), and bone fragment (1.0%). The different types of infection included: urinary tract infections (13.5%), myositis (8.3%), arthritis (6.3%), osteomyelitis (4.2%), and meningitis (2.1%); the site of infection was unidentified in 65.6% of cases. The main bacteria included: Salmonella sp. (28.1%), Staphylococcus sp. (18.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.7%), Escherichia coli (10.4%), Enterobacter sp. (5.2%), Acinetobacter sp. (4.2%), Streptococcus sp. (4.2%) and Serratia sp. (4.2%). This retrospective analysis revealed 9.7% cases of BIs, mainly caused by Salmonella sp. (28.1%), Staphylococcus sp. (18.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.7%), and Escherichia coli (10.4%).

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic disease with many complications among which is growth retardation. Here, we described the growth and nutritional status patterns of children with SCD and adolescents living in Douala, Cameroon. Methods: This cross-sectional study took place at the sickle cell treatment center of Douala Laquintinie Hospital from November 2015 to April 2016. The sociodemographic and anthropometric information of each SCD patient was determined, and then used for computing z-score indexes (weight for age, weight for height, body mass index for height, and height for age). The different indexes were used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition forms (stunting, wasting, underweight, and overweight/obesity) and compared to WHO standards by gender and age. Results: A total of 208 children and adolescents participated in the study. The mean age was 8 years (±5) and the median age was 7 years. Males accounted for 53.4% of cases, giving a sex ratio of 1:1.1. The proportions of wasting, stunting, underweight, and overweight/obesity in the overall population were 7.1% (n = 15), 9.1% (n = 19), 3.6% (n = 5) and 3.3% (n = 7) respectively. In children under 5, wasting, stunting, underweight, and overweight/obesity were noted in 1.4% (n = 1), 9.5% (n = 7), 1.4% (n = 1), and 5.4% (n = 4) respectively. In patients aged 5 years and above, a proportion of 10.5% (n = 14) was wasted, 9.0% (n = 12) were stunted, 5.9% (n = 4) were underweight and 2.2% (n = 7) were overweight/obese. The growth curve of children under five in our study was superimposable to the WHO standard growth curve. In children older than 5 years, the left shift for stunting was more pronounced for boys compared to girls. Conclusion: Nine percent of children and adolescents with SCD are stunted. The growth deficit appeared to be higher in patients aged 5 years and above, more particularly in boys than girls. Overweight/obesity was uncommon in our series. More robust research designs and statistical analyses are needed to confirm or refute these findings.

The hydroxyurea is a save, affordable and essential medicine for sickle cell disease (SCD), reducing painful crises and mortality. To foster the prescription of hydroxyurea for patients with SCD in sub-Saharan African countries, the scientific advisory board of Drep.Afrique, a non-governmental organization dedicated to SCD in Africa, has developed a therapeutic guideline well suited to conditions on the ground. These guidelines answer three essential questions: which patients should be prioritized for treatment with hydroxyurea, which dose should be used, and what follow-up should be implemented in those low-resources countries? The guidelines are given as in a concise document for easy use by practitioners on the ground, available in English and in French.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disability associated with deficiency in social interaction, unusual development of social communication, and restricted or repetitive behaviors, interests and activities. This study aimed to describe management of pediatric ASD in Cameroon, a resource-constrained Central Africa country. A retrospective study was conducted between December 2021 and May 2022 at the Pediatrics department of a reference hospital in the town of Douala. Data of interest of children with ASD were collected through eligible medical records and telephone discussions with their parents/guardians. Medical records of 145 children with ASD aged 2–15 years were included in the study, giving a hospital ASD prevalence of 3.7%. Time delay between parental concerns and hospital management was specified in 69 (47.58%) children, and among them 38 (55.07%) had a mean delay ± SD was less than five months. Children were mainly males (76%) and aged 4–5 years (37.93%), with mean age ± SD of 44.4 ± 22.2 months old. The main consultation reason was delayed language development (100%). Mean time delay between parental concerns and the first medical consultation was 18 months (range 1–60 month). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were found in 68.18% of children aged ≥ 6 years old. Neuropsychology (66.2%) was the most frequently used intervention. Some children were treated using traditional medicine. Management of pediatric ASD is strongly influenced by socioeconomic and cultural context. It is crucial to implement behavioral change campaigns in community, organize training sessions to medical staff on diagnosis and treatment of ASD, and provide specialized centers with skilled staff and equipped material.

Introduction: In Cameroon, acute bronchiolitis has been reported as the third commonest lower respiratory infection and is usually associated with low mortality. Nonetheless, respiratory distress associated with non-adherence to management guidelines can prolong hospital stay. This study aimed to explore predictors of prolonged hospital stay (≥ 5 days) and mortality in patients aged < 2years hospitalised for acute bronchiolitis. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at three paediatric units in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Factors associated with prolonged hospital stay and mortality were determined using multivariable linear regression model. Threshold for significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 215 patients with bronchiolitis were included with mean age of 6.94 ± 5.71 months and M/F sex ratio of 1.39/1. Prolonged hospital stay was reported in 46.98% and mortality in 10.70% of patients hospitalised for bronchiolitis. Factors independently associated with prolonged hospital duration were oxygen administration [b = 0.36, OR = 2.35 (95% CI:1.16–4.74), p = 0.017], abnormal respiratory rate [b = 0.38, OR = 2.13 (1.00-4.55), p = 0.050] and patients presenting with cough [b = 0.33, OR = 2.35 (95% CI: 1.22–4.51), p = 0.011], and diarrhoea [b = 0.71, OR = 6.44 (95% CI: 1.6-25.86), p = 0.009] on admission. On the other hand, factors independently associated with mortality were age of the patient [b= -0.07, OR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74–0.97), p = 0.014] and oxygen administration [b = 1.08, OR = 9.64 (95% CI:1.16–79.85), p = 0.036] Conclusion: Acute bronchiolitis represented 1.24% of admissions and was common in the rainy season, in males and 3–11-month-old patients. Management guidelines were poorly respected. Prolonged length of stay was reported in half of the patients hospitalized and mortality was high, especially in younger patients and in patients receiving oxygen.