[Aspects of the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of sickle cell osteomyelitis in children in Africa].

IntroductionSickle cell osteomyelitis in children is one of the complications of osteoarthritis in sickle cell disease.ObjectiveTo describe the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell osteomyelitis in children in Africa to improve management.Tools and methodA review of records showed that from April 2004 through September 2009, eleven cases of osteomyelitis in children aged 0 to 15 years who carried the sickle cell trait were treated in the surgical and pediatric unit of the Women's and Children's Hospital of Yaounde.ResultThe children's mean age was 7 years, but frequency was highest for those aged 1 to 5 years. The sex ratio was 2:1 male. The portal of entry was found for only 30% of cases. The predilection of the disease for long bones, the non-fistulated forms, the homozygous type, and the frequency of Salmonella were all remarkable. Medical and preventive treatment, always applied, were followed by orthopedic treatment. The usefulness of surgery, on the other hand, is subject to debate. Healing was obtained in 80% of cases.ConclusionThe authors describe the profile of osteomyelitis in children with sickle cell disease in Africa.