Subclinical malaria in sickle cell disease in Northern Uganda: prevalence, predictors, and hematologic impact

Abstract

Objectives

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), characterized by persistently low hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit levels, is among the leading causes of under-five mortality in high prevalence countries. Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of both sickle cell disease (SCD) and malaria. Subclinical malaria (SCM), defined as parasitemia without overt clinical symptoms, may worsen anemia in SCD, but its clinical significance remains uncertain. We evaluated the prevalence, predictors, and clinical associations of SCM using a hierarchical diagnostic framework.