Haematological values in sickle cell anaemia in steady state and during vaso-occulusive crisis in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa where there is no readily available effective treatment. This study was designed to determine the haematological values that can be used in monitoring the status and management of SCA patients. Method: A prospective study of 200 patients (81.3%) in steady state, 46 patients (18.7%) during vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and 84 control subjects seen between August 2001 and July 2002 in 3 centers in Benin City, Nigeria had their blood samples analyzed within two hours of collection. Automated Coulter Counter was used to determine the complete blood counts while the foetal haemoglobin (HbF) was estimated by the modified Betke method and haemoglobin A2 by HbS-free microcolumn chromatography. Results: The mean cell volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in steady state were 79.38fl ± 22.41, 28.31pg ± 3.58 and 32.56g/dl ± 2.27 while in VOC they were 85.50fl ± 8.14, 28.79pg ± 2.78 and 33.76g/dl±3.44 respectively. The red cell distribution width (RDW), haemoglobin A2 and F in steady state were 23.76% ± 6.49, 4.52% ±1.16 and 2.17% ±1.81 while during VOC they were 21.62% ±5.11, 3.82%±1.27 and 2.05%±1.19 respectively. The neutrophil count (P<0.01), MCV (P<0.01) and MCHC (P<0.05) were significantly higher during VOC than steady state while the RDW (P<0.05) and haemoglobin A2 were significantly higher in steady state than during VOC. Conclusion:Parameters, which are not usually reported in previous studies, have been shown in steady state and VOC