Predictive factors for the development of acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell anemia
Keywords:
SÍNDROME TORÁCICO AGUDO; FACTORES DE RIESGO; ENFERMEDAD AGUDA; ANEMIA.; ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME; RISK FACTORS; ACUTE DISEASE; ANEMIA.Abstract
Introduction: acute chest syndrome is one of the leading causes of death in children with sickle cell anemia.
Objective: to determine the risk factors associated with the development of acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell anemia.
Methods: a case-control study was conducted for the risk factors associated with the development of acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell anemia at the Pediatric Service of the China Friendship Hospital in Roseau, Dominica, from january 2023 to december 2025. The case group consisted of all patients with vaso-occlusive crisis who developed acute chest syndrome (12 children) and the control group consisted of those who did not present this complication (24).
Results: there was a highly significant association of acute chest syndrome with a temperature equal to or greater than 38.5 °C in the first 24 hours of admission (OR = 7,2; 95 % CI: 1,50-35,2; p=0,009), with a history of bronchial asthma (OR = 7,8; 95 % CI: 1,23-49,8; p=0,017), with Hb levels less than 9 g/dl (OR = 4,2; 95 % CI: 1,1-18,3; p=0,049) and with a global leukocyte count equal to or greater than 14 x 109/L (OR = 6,0; 95 % CI: 1,31-27,2; p=0,015).
Conclusions: a temperature equal to or greater than 38,5 °C in the first 24 hours of admission, a history of bronchial asthma, low Hb levels, and an elevated global leukocyte count increased the risk of developing acute chest syndrome in the participants of the case series.
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