Death patterns in sickle cell anemia

E. B. TAttah and M. C. Ekere

In Ibadan, Nigeria, 28 patients with sickle cell disease (hemoglobin SS and SC) died and were autopsied. Fifty percent of these had died by the age of 5 years, as did 21 (68%) with homozygous hemoglobin SS disease. No death occurred in infancy or childhood among the patients with hemoglobin SC disease. Serious intercurrent disease that could have been responsible for death was present in ten patients (36%). The type and frequency of intercurrent disease appears to be related to the environment.