Enuresis in children with sickle cell disease

Populations and methods. - In order to analyze epidemiological and clinical characteristics of enuresis in children with sickle cell disease, and identify risk and aetiological factors, 987 subjects (aged 5-20 years) took part in a cross-sectional study. These children were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of 456 homozygous children with sickle cell disease (haemoglobin SS), while group 2 consisted of 531 normal children. These groups were paired according to age and sex. Results. - The prevalence of enuresis was 50.9% in group 1 and 16.4% in group 2, and was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the girls. The frequency decreased significantly between the ages of 5-20. At age 16, frequency of enuretic children with sickle cell disease remained statistically greater (15.9% vs. 8.0%). The frequency of wet nights was higher (P < 0.05) in group 1. In addition, anaemia crisis and painfull crisis were related to prevalence of enuresis. There was a significant (P < 0.01) negative correlation between haemoglobin F percentage and prevalence of enuresis. Conclusion. - Enuresis is frequent in children with sickle cell disease and its intensity is linked to severity of disease. (C) 2004 Elsevier SAS. Tons droits reserves.