Effect of intestinal helminth infection on haemoglobin levels and frequency of vaso-occlusive crises in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) attending Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria

• Main Authors: Emmanuel Anayo Onoh, Uzoamaka Vivian Muoneke, Ekenechukwu Esther Young, Brenda Chidinma Nwatu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PAMJ 2020-08-01
• Series: PAMJ Clinical Medicine
• Subjects: intestinal; helminths; sickle cell ananemia; vaso-occlusive crises
• Online Access: https://www.clinical-medicine.panafrican-med-journal.com/content/article/3/190/pdf/190.pdf
• ISSN: 2707-2797; 2707-2797

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder of haemoglobin characterized by chronic anaemia due to ongoing haemolysis and is frequently associated with recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). The affected patients often have impaired immunity and are predisposed to infections. It is known that infections and infestations are important trigger factors towards development of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) in SCA patients. Aims and objectives: to demonstrate any significant difference in the Haemoglobin levels and frequency of vaso-occlusive crises among children with SCA harbouring intestinal helminthes compared with SCA patients without Intestinal Helminths. METHODS: a hospital based cross sectional study was conducted between August and October 2018 in 120 children aged 2 to 18 years with sickle cell anaemia. Frequency of vaso-occulsive crisis in children with or without intestinal helminths was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Stool and Blood samples were collected and analysed using standard methods. RESULTS: the ages of the children ranged between 2 - 18 yrs, 55.8% were males with a mean age of 8.6(±4.6SD) years. Females had a mean age of 9.1 (±3.9SD) years. Eleven stool samples contained intestinal helminths. The median haemoglobin of the helminth-infected subjects was 6.5g/dl. There was no significant statistical difference in episodes of vaso-occlusive crises in those with or without helminthic infections (p = 0.822) though statistical difference in the haemoglobin levels appeared significant (p-value 0.010). CONCLUSION: haemoglobin levels appeared lower in children with intestinal helminthiasis while the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises did not differ.