Clinical and laboratory features associated with persistent gross splenomegaly in Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia

Tow age-matched groups of patients with sickle cell anaemia (SS), one with persistent gross splenomegaly (PGS) and the other without palpable spleens, were studied to determine the clinical and laboratory features associated with PGS. The group with PGS had significantly larger mean liver size, higher serum indirect bilirubin levels, but lower mean haematocrit, blood cell counts and serum albumin: globulin ratio when compared to the control group without splenomegaly. Large palpable livers (greater than 6 cm below the coastal margin) among the PGS group tended to be associated with digital clubbing. A retrospective analysis of their case files showed that patients with PGS had had predominantly anaemic crises while those without splenomegaly had had predominantly vaso-occlusive crises over a 2-year period. No difference was found between the 2 groups, in respect of anthropometric data, prevalence of hepatomegaly or frequency of hospital admissions and blood transfusions.