[Priapism in children and adolescents with homozygous sickle cell disease in Brazzaville].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of priapism, assess knowledge and appreciate its characteristics in childhood sickle cell disease.

METHODOLOGY: A case-control study was conducted at the University Hospital of Brazzaville (Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Clinical Urology). The cases consisted of 202 sickle cell anemia who are at least 5 years. Witnesses consisted of 112 children with sickle cell disease not of the same age from the same family as the previous.

RESULTS

Priapism was found in 68 (34%) affected children, divided into 54 cases (79.4%) of chronic intermittent priapism and 14 cases (20.6%) of acute priapism. In the control group no cases were observed (p=0.001). Priapism was known by six (3%) patients in the group of children with sickle cell disease. In the control group, it was known by 25 (22.3%) children. It was seen in the group of sickle cell disease as any: 113 children (56%), a natural phenomenon that can occur in life: 57 children (28%), a complication of sickle cell disease: 26 children (13%). In the control group, it was considered a natural phenomenon that can occur in life: 60 children (53.6%), a complication of sickle cell disease: 52 children (46.4%). The average age of priapism occurred in the first episode was 10.4±9.5 years.

CONCLUSION

The importance of the prevalence of priapism, and insufficient knowledge needed strengthening information, education and communication with children and their parents.