Exploring neurocognitive deficits among children with sickle cell disease and its impact on their quality of life at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) may cause insufficient flow of blood and oxygen to the brain and put children with SCD at risk of cerebral damage that cause neurocognitive deficits functioning in domains such as memory, attention, abnormal fine motor functioning and executive functioning.  

Objective: The study sought to explore the neurocognitive deficits among children with SCD and its impact on the quality of their live.

Methodology: It is a cross-sectional comparative study of thirty (30) children. Fifteen (15) with SCD and a matched control group of fifteen (15) siblings. Neuropsychological assessment tool (NEPSY II) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were administered to children with SCD and to the control group. Data obtained from the assessments was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the neurocognitive deficits and the quality of life.

Results: The results of the study showed that 50% of children with SCD scored average in clocks and list memory tests while 80% scored below average in the rest of the tests administered. The results indicate that SCD children have neurocognitive deficits which negatively impact their quality of life.

Conclusion: The study identified neurocognitive deficits in executive function, attention ad memory among children with SCD. To ensure early intervention and management, developmental neuropsychological testing should be done regularly on SCD children. The research findings serve as a foundation and direction for future large-scale research on neurocognitive deficits and quality of life in children with SCD.