Assessment of pubertal delay in adolescents with sickle cell anemia in two health facilities in Cameroon

Objectives: Onset and progression of puberty is reported to be delayed in children with sickle cell anemia. This study sought to determine the prevalence, assess pubertal delay and evaluate the factors associated with pubertal delay in adolescents with SCA. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytic study on 72 sickle cell adolescents, at the sickle cell clinics of the Regional Hospital Bamenda and Nkwen Baptist Hospital in Cameroon, from 15th February 2022 to 20th June 2022. We assessed sociodemographic variables, clinical and Tanner stages of the participants. Chi square test was used to test for associations, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Pubertal delay was found in 48.5% of participants with a male predominance of 75.0%. The mean age at onset of puberty (B2) in girls with delay was 13.3 & PLUSMN;1.4 years compared to 15 & PLUSMN;1.4 years in those without delay, with observe difference statistically significant (p= 0.001). The mean age of menarche was delayed by 2.3 years in sicklers with delay. Amongst males, the mean age at onset of puberty (G2) was 14.6 & PLUSMN;1.5 in sicklers with delay compared to 16.9 & PLUSMN;1.9 in sicklers with no delay and was statistically significant (p=0.001). Amongst the factors evaluated receiving three or more blood transfusions was significantly associated with pubertal delay. (AOR= 5.7(1.7-19.2) and p=0.01). Conclusion: A high prevalence of pubertal delay (48.5%) was recorded amongst children with sickle cell anemia. The mean age of menarche was delayed by 2.3 years in sicklers with pubertal delay. Three or more transfusions were significantly associated with pubertal delay.