Prevalence of Nocturnal Enuresis in Children with Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease in Zaria

Abstract

Summary . Background: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is believed to be commoner in children with homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD-SS) than in those with normal haemoglobin. The reasons for this have not been established and its prevalence and pattern have not been adequately described in the tropics. Objective: To determine the prevalence and describe the pattern of nocturnal enuresis in children with SCD-SS in the Guinea Savannah region of Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional case-controlled study was carried out on randomly selected steady state children with SCD-SS attending the Haematology Clinic of the Department of Paediatrics at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect historical and clinical data from the patients. Age-dependent definition of NE was used in analyzing data. Results: One hundred and fifty (47.1 percent) of the 360 children with SCD-SS studied had NE. The rate was significantly higher than that obtained in control children. Whereas significantly more male than female control children had NE, the difference did not reach statistical significance in those with SCD-SS. Mariy home caregivers used potentially harmful methods in attempts to control NE. Socioeconomic factors and family history did not play significant role in the prevalence of NE. Conclusion: Nocturnal enuresis is commoner in children with SCD-SS than in otherwise normal children, even in the Guinea Savannah region of Nigeria. It is suggested that NE in SCD-SS may not be innocuous.