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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
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High body mass index in children with sickle cell disease: a retrospective single-centre audit

Rachael Hall1, Kate Gardner2, David C Rees2,3

  • 1Department of Haematology, Imperial College London, London, UK.

BMJ Paediatrics Open
|November 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

High body mass index (BMI) was not linked to disease severity in children with sickle cell disease. However, obesity was more common in females and those with HbSC, indicating a need for further research.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder with varying clinical severity.
  • High body mass index (BMI) is a growing concern in pediatric populations, but its impact on SCD is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of high BMI in children with sickle cell disease.
  • To investigate the correlation between high BMI and indicators of SCD severity.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single tertiary pediatric clinic.
  • Data from 385 children (ages 2-18) with sickle cell disease (HbSS and HbSC genotypes) were analyzed.
  • Included data: BMI, laboratory results, hospital admission rates, and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) status.

Main Results:

  • 17% of children with SCD were overweight or obese.
  • Obesity prevalence was significantly higher in children with HbSC genotype (25%) compared to HbSS genotype (13%).
  • No significant correlation was found between high BMI and OSA, hospital admissions, fetal hemoglobin levels, or lactate dehydrogenase levels.

Conclusions:

  • High BMI is not associated with increased disease severity in this cohort of children with sickle cell disease.
  • Obesity is more prevalent in females and those with the HbSC genotype.
  • Further prospective studies are recommended to explore the long-term effects of BMI on SCD outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
comm child healthhaematologyobesity

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