Determination of Hematological Parameters among Homeless Children Exposed to Chemical Intoxication in Khartoum State

Abstract

This was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study conducted to determine the hematological parameters among homeless children in Khartoum state during the period from August 2008 to March 2010.Two hundred (200) samples were obtained from Tayba, Soba and Althawra Rehabilitation Centers. Concerning the consent form a written agreement from the social welfare constitution was afforded, because most of participants were less than 18 years old and had no guardians so legally the caring entity should burden their consent signing. Participation was obtained. 5 ml of venous blood were collected, 2.5 ml into K+ EDTA containers for hematological parameters and 2.5 ml into plain containers for iron profile study from all participants. Fully-automated hematological analyzer (Sysmex Kx 21N) was used for determination of the hematological parameters and spectrophotometry was used to determine iron profile .The collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer program . The most prominent type of anaemia was normocytic normochromic anaemia followed by microcytic hypochromic anaemia. Many abnormalities of blood cell morphology were seen in peripheral blood films of study group. The iron profile of the study group showed that many of them had an abnormal iron profile. Regarding the white blood cells despite normal count there was marked lymphocytosis, eosinophilia & monocytosis with few atypical lymphocytes and hypersegmentation of neutrophils. Most of the study participants showed abnormal hematological parameters mostly due to environmental, nutritional and medical status.