Enuresis among children with sickle cell anaemia in Port Harcourt

Background: Sickle-cell anaemia (SCA) is the most common inherited haemoglobinopathy affecting the black race and enuresis have been reported to be commoner among children with SCA than those with normal haemoglobin genotype. Aims: The study aims to determine the prevalence of enuresis, its type, risk factors and management methods among children with SCA. Method: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among children with SCA on follow up at the Paediatric Haematology clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Astructured investigator administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on biodata and enuresis data of these patients. Obtained data were analysed and results presented in simple proportions and comparisons of subgroups carried out using the chi square test or Fischer’s exact test. Statistical significance was set at p value <0.05. Results: A total of 96 subjects with SCA participated in the study, 52 (54.2%) were males while 44 (45.8%) were females.Thirty nine out of the 96subjectshad enuresis, giving a prevalence rate of 40.6 %. All surveyed subjects had primary nocturnal enuresis. There was a statistically significant association between enuresisand a family history of enuresis (p <0.05). Enuresis was commoner in males and decreased with increasing age, however these were not statistically significant (p>0.05). None of the subjects visited the hospital for medical treatment of enuresis. Waking child up at night, withholding water, punishment and use of herbal drugs were the common methods of enuresis management. Conclusion: Prevalence of nocturnal enuresis among children with SCA is high, primary nocturnal enuresis was the only type of enuresis and there is a significant association betweenenuresis and a positive family history of enuresis. The incorrect methods of management of enuresis requires public health enlightenment.