Study on Hematological Parameters in Children with Sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait at AL-BULUK Teaching Hospital - Omdurman

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder characterized primarily by chronic anemia and periodic episodes of pain. The disorder produces abnormal hemoglobin, which causes the red blood cells to sickle or become crescent shaped. These sickle shaped RBCs are much less deformable, and therefore obstruct microcirculation, and cause tissue infarction. This study aimed to investigate the blood parameters of patients with sickle cell anemia in comparison to healthy controls. The age range of this population was from five months to 12 years, with 83% (n = 83) their ages < 7 years and 17% (n = 17) their ages were ≥ 7 years. The sex ratio of males to females was 1:1 for all studied groups. Venous blood samples were collected from patients with sickle cell anemia (n = 92) and controls (n = 8) attending Al Buluk Teaching Hospital, at Omdurman City of Khartoum State. The samples of patients with sickle cell disease { SS = 48 ; 52.2% (48/92) }, sickle cell trait AS = 44; 47.8% (44/92) and eight healthy controls (AA ) were screened for complete blood count and hemoglobin electrophoresis. The mean and standard deviation for hematological parameters for each group (SS, AS and AA) were compared using SPSS 16.00. This study revealed a highly significant differences (P < 0.05) in Hb, PCV and WBCs between healthy controls (AA) and patients with sickle cell anemia (SS and AS). The present study did not find any significant differences (P > 0.05) between healthy controls and patients with sickle cell anemia (SS + AS) concerning other hematological parameters (MCV, MCH, MCHC, Neutrophiles, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophiles and Basophiles). This study showed low hematological parameters of SCD patients may also be due to various causes including poor nutrition as well as infections and hemolytic processes. This study recommended pre screening for infants and children so as to mount the necessary precautions to avoid complication of sickle cell anemia that may lead to death.