Objective: Determinate prevalence of depressive symptoms in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia, characterize and associate then with individuals data. Methods: A transversal study was conducted with people with sickle cell anemia from 7 to 17 years old, followed at a Pediatric Hematology Center, which fulfilled the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI). Results: A total of 76 children and adolescents were selected, considering a cut-off point of 13. Twenty-six patients (34,2%) had suggestive symptoms of depression. "Not able to be as good as others siblings" was the most scored item of CDI, and it prevailed significantly in that with CDI score higher or equal than 13, as the variables: having divorced or widowed parents, and family income lower or equal to R$ 510,00. The item "worries about pain" obtained high score whether depressive symptoms were present or not (p = 0,1). Conclusion: Depression in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia remains poorly discussed. Data obtained indicates high rates of depressive symptoms in this population. Probably, early experience of parental separation and low family income may contribute to development of these symptoms.
Sickle cell anemia; depressive symptoms; children; adolescents
