Journal Article Epublish
PubMed: 39767950 DOI: 10.3390/children11121521
Neurocognitive Profile and Associated Factors Among Children Affected by Sickle Cell Disease in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Children (Basel) 11(12)
Authors: Patricia V M Lelo, Faustin Nd Kitetele, Marcel Kunyu, Cathy E Akele, Daniel L Okitundu, David Lackland Sam, Michael J Boivin, Espérance Kashala-Abotnes
Affiliations
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Kalembelembe Pediatric Hospital, Kinshasa 012, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Centre for International Health (CIH), Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Neurology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 012, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neurology & Ophthalmology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Children Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON K1J 9B7, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Understanding the neurocognitive profile of children with sickle cell disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo is essential, as this condition can significantly affect their development. Our study aims to assess these children's neurocognitive and developmental profiles and identify related factors.
METHODS
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 287 children, aged 0 to 68 months, using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning and the Gensini Gavito Scale. We also screened for maternal depression using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-10.
RESULTS
More than half of the participants were boys, with an average age of 4 years. Remarkably, 95.8% (score T < x¯ +2 SD) of children scored below average on the Mullen Scales. Significant associations were found between early neurocognitive development and factors like maternal depression, socioeconomic status, maternal education, age of weaning, and responses to the Ten-Questions Questionnaire ( < 0.005). Conclusion, children with sickle cell disease show below-average cognitive development, with maternal depression being a critical factor. Longitudinal studies are vital to understanding the long-term cognitive effects of sickle cell disease, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where targeted support is urgently needed.
MeSH
Depression, Cells, Cross-Sectional Studies, Anemia, Sickle Cell, Child