Observation of Causes of Death from Sickle Cell Anemia in Niger

Purpose: Improve the management of Major Sickle Cell Syndromes (SDM) by studying the circumstances in which patients affected by this disease die in Niger. Methods: This was a retrospective study of descriptive and analytical type in sickle cell patients followed at the National Sickle Cell Reference Center (CNRD) in Niamey with a follow-up file, who died during our study period, which was 9 years (January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2018). Results: During the study period, 6,465 sickle cell patients were followed up at the CNRD, 249 deaths were recorded, representing a frequency of 3.8%. There is a male predominance with a sex ratio of 1:3. The 0-15 age group was the most represented with 34.5% with an average age of 9.25 years. 34.1% of the patients came from a consanguineous marriage. Of the 249 deaths, 94% (n=234) were SS, 5.6% (n=14) were SC and 0.4% (n=1) was S/β. The majority of patients died at the time of registration, i.e. 58.25% (n=145 (SS=137. SC=8.)). 90.4% had died in a health-care facility. The main cause of death was anemia in 73.1% of cases. Conclusion: The management of sickle cell disease requires adequate preventive action to reduce the rate of early mortality.