Haematological Profile of Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Crises and Steady State: A Comparative Study in A Tertiary Hospital, North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an inherited, most severe, and commonest form of sickle cell disease that results from the β-globin gene mutation. Complications of SCA are mostly dependent on the activation of blood indices. This study is aimed at evaluating haematological parameters needed for monitoring sickle cell anaemia children.

Materials and Methods

 This was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital where 198 sickle cell children were recruited using convenience sampling technique. The data was analysed using SPSS version 23.0. The complete blood count parameters of sickle cell anaemia children in crisis and steady states were compared. Haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit, White blood cell (WBC), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and platelet (Plt) were determined. Independent T-test and ANOVA were used to summarise the continuous variables. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

 The mean Hb, MCV & MCH were significantly lower in children with crises compared with the steady state (p= <0.001, <0.001 and 0.046). The mean WBC was 20.58 ± 9.91 in crises and 14.29 ± 4.47 in steady state (p=<0.001). The Hct was lower in crises (21.76 ± 4.62) compared with steady state (22.41 ± 3.52) (p= 0.269) and the Plt was higher in crises (426.52 ± 219.67) compared with steady state (391.46 ± 182.63/mm³) (p=0.224).

Conclusion: Haemoglobin and Hb-dependent haematological indices in sickle cell anaemia were lower in crisis states especially in haemolytic crisis while WBC and platelets were higher. Close monitoring of Complete Blood Count, rather than the usual Hb value only, is highly necessary for SCA children with haemolytic crises.

Keywords: Sickle cell anaemia, Children, steady state, crisis state, Haematological profile,