Profile Of Haematological Emergencies In A Tertiary Hospital In Lagos, Nigeria: A 3 Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Haematological emergencies are usually acute and life threatening conditions. Prompt and accurate diagnosis and institution of appropriate management is essential in order to reduce associated morbidities and/or mortalities. The knowledge of most emergencies is important and emergency physicians should be able to recognize and institute basic and potentially lifesaving
treatment. This study seeks to evaluate the pattern of haematological emergencies presenting at the Medical Emergency Department of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

Method: A retrospective study of medical records of the medical emergency department in LASUTH was assessed over a period of thirty six months between st st January 1 2015 and December 31 2017.

Results: A total of 5498 patients' records were assessed. Non haematological diseases accounted for most of the emergencies (98.4%). 88 of 5498 (1.6%) were haematological emergencies out of which 66 (1.2%) were sickle cell anaemia patients in crisis. The commonest crisis seen was vasoocclusive crisis.

Conclusion: Sickle cell anaemia crisis is the commonest haematological emergency seen at the Medical emergency department of LASUTH while the overwhelming majority of the cases seen were nonhaematological.

Keywords: Haematological, non haematological, emergencies, sickle cell crisis