Relationship of age, anthropometry and haemoglobin concentration with echocardiographic findings in Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia

Objective: The prevalence and burden of Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) in Nigeria are high and they contribute to childhood morbidity and mortality. Chronic anaemia and vaso-occlusion usually involve different organs. The involvement of the heart is a common complication of SCA, thus the need for early detection of cardiac abnormalities in children with SCA. To assess cardiac structure using ECG in children with SCA in steady-state and to determine the relationship between abnormal ECG findings and the participants’ haemoglobin concentration. Material and Method: It was a cross-sectional study done in one of the tertiary hospitals in southeast Nigeria. The study participants were 164 children with SCA in steady state within the ages of 2 -17 years. A 12-lead ECG was carried out on the participants and their haemoglobin concentrations determined. The relationship between the presence of cardiac abnormality and independent variables like haemoglobin concentration, age and gender were analyzed. Result: The prevalence of cardiac abnormality was 59.1%. The commonest cardiac structure abnormality was Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (39.6%). Abnormality in the P-R interval was seen in 14.6%, while ST segment abnormality was seen in 18.3%. The mean Hb of those with abnormal ECG was lower than that of those without abnormal ECG, across each age group. Severe anaemia was a significant (p< 0.01) predictor of LVH. However, there was no significant association between the degree of anaemia and the occurrence of ST-segment (p: 0.26) and PR interval abnormalities (p: 0.52). Conclusion: Cardiac anomalies are common findings in SCA children.

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Predicted Reference Equations for Spirometry Indices as a Proxy from Anthropometry Measurements of Nigerian Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia Aged 5–12 Years

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics ◽

10.1093/tropej/fmaa095 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Olufemi S Akodui ◽

Abiodun O Faleti ◽

Folashade A Adekanmbi ◽

Tinuade A Ogunlesi

Keyword(s):

Sickle Cell ◽

Standard Error ◽

Sickle Cell Anaemia ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Coefficient Of Determination ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Nigerian Children ◽

Arm Span ◽

Reference Equations

Abstract Background Significant morbidity and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease are accounted for by lung complications. To facilitate good respiratory care for children with sickle cell anaemia the generation of local predicted values is highly important. Objective To determine the reference equations for spirometry indices estimation in children with sickle cell anaemia, which can be readily used as proxy when there is no easy accessibility to spirometer. Methods A cross-sectional study with linear regression models developed to estimate reference values for spirometric indices in Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia aged 5–12 years. Results Age as independent variables for estimation of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was associated with lowest coefficient of determination (R2) and highest standard error. The coefficient of determination (R2) and standard error was highest and lowest, respectively, when arm span was used to determine peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). Prediction models for PEFR and FEV1 gave the closest mean estimates that were 0.18 and 0.16 lower and higher than the actual mean PEFR and FEV1, respectively, but the differences was significant only in FEV1. On the contrary the prediction models for forced vital capacity (FVC) gave mean estimates that was 1.02 higher than the actual mean FVC, however, the finding was not significant. Conclusion Preferred proxy for spirometry indices in children with sickle cell anaemia may be arm span.

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