Otieno J., 1

Johnmark is the only child of his mother. His father abandoned the family at the maternity ward and has never been heard from since. He currently lives with his mother and grandmother in a small two-room mud house. Both his mother and grandmother are unemployed and rely on small-scale farming to sustain themselves. According to his mother, Johnmark is a known sickle cell patient. One day, he became unusually irritable, crying persistently despite being fed and having rested. When his mother tried to pick him up, he cried even more and resisted being carried. By the following day, his feet had become swollen and painful, and he developed a fever. Concerned about his condition, his mother took him to the hospital for medical attention.

Johnmark was brought to the hospital with complains of pain in the body. He being a known sickle cell patient he was diagnsoed with painful crisis in sickle cell disease and septicemia. He was admitted to the ward for management. He was administered morphine, paracetamol. IV cetriaxone, X pen among other drugs. He was tolerant to the medication and recovered. He was later discharged home with follow up clinics set up. A call to the mother revealed Johnmark was recovered and was playing as before.

The child is a known case of sickle cell disease (SCD), presenting with septicemia and painful crisis. In a 1-year-old, this combination indicates severe illness with high potential for rapid deterioration, shock, and multi-organ complications. The child was brought to Siaya County Hospital, where aggressive treatment was done, which included prompt initiation of intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, adequate hydration, and analgesia, his prognosis is good, as he has a chance of clinical recovery. However, the child remains at high risk for recurrent crises, severe infections, and complications and regular follow up clinic will be needed .