Evaluation of Coagulation Process in Sudanese Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia is a common disease in Sudan. The patients suffer from hemolytic anemia and other serious complications. The underlying pathology of much of these complications is the occurrence of vaso-occlusion due to micro thrombi formation resulting in organ ischemia. Activation of coagulation system as increased Fibrinolysis has been reported in SCA. Sixty eight Sudanese patients of both sexes with ages ranging between 6 months and 26 years were included in this study. 20 apparently healthy controls were also studied to evaluate the activation of coagulation system, and then the collected data were analyzed using SPSS computerized programmed. PT, APTT, and fibrinogen level were measured in all patients and controls. The period of the study was from March to July 2009. All controls have normal PT, APTT, and fibrinogen level. While the mean of all patients have normal fibrinogen level with normal PT. 57% of patients had normal APTT, 31% had prolonged, and 12% had shortened APTT. The shortened APTT in some of the patients is an indication of a hypercoagulable state while the prolonged APTT in others is suggestive of a state of DIC.