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Growth in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease in Yemen

A-W M Al-Saqladi1, H A Bin-Gadeen, B J Brabin

  • 1Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Aden University, Yemen.

Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
|December 2, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Growth is severely impaired in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Yemen, with many exhibiting low weight and height. Nutritional support and growth monitoring are crucial for comprehensive SCD care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Physical growth is frequently impaired in children with sickle cell disease (SCD).
  • The prevalence and severity of growth impairment in SCD vary geographically.
  • Underlying factors contributing to suboptimal growth in SCD remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the growth status of children and adolescents with SCD in Yemen.
  • To utilize new World Health Organization (WHO) reference values for growth assessment.
  • To examine correlations between growth indicators, disease severity, and hematological/biochemical parameters.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted involving children under 16 years with SCD.
  • Anthropometric measurements including weight, height, mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), and body mass index (BMI) were collected.
  • Disease severity was quantified using a severity index (SI) score.

Main Results:

  • 45% of 102 children had low weight-for-age, 54% low height-for-age, and 35% low BMI-for-age Z-scores (<-2 SD).
  • Low height-for-age correlated with male gender (p=0.02).
  • Low weight-for-age and weight-for-height correlated with increased age (p<0.001), low weight-for-age with raised alkaline phosphatase (p=0.04), and low BMI with reduced plasma albumin (p=0.04).
  • No correlation was found between growth deficits and SI or anemia severity.

Conclusions:

  • Children and adolescents with SCD in Yemen experience significant growth impairment.
  • Integrating growth monitoring and nutritional support into the care of SCD patients is essential.
  • These interventions are vital components of comprehensive management for SCD in this population.
Abstract

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