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Two-Dimensional Ultrasound Assessment of Long-Term Intra-Abdominal Organ Changes in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia
C S Nwosu1, C A Nri-Ezedi2, C Okechukwu3
1Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Insights
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) in children can cause significant changes in abdominal organs. Two-dimensional ultrasound effectively monitors these long-term effects, aiding in cost-effective health management for SCA patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Genetics
Background:
- Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a prevalent hereditary blood disorder.
- Long-term organ impact in SCA patients during steady state requires further understanding.
- Nigeria has a significant burden of SCA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare intra-abdominal organ changes in children with SCA versus non-SCA children.
- To assess organ morphology during steady-state using two-dimensional ultrasound.
- To evaluate the utility of ultrasound in SCA management.
Main Methods:
- 116 children (58 SCA, 58 controls) were enrolled.
- Clinico-demographic data collected via questionnaires.
- Two-dimensional ultrasound measured liver, spleen, kidneys, and inferior vena cava.
Main Results:
- No significant age or gender differences between SCA and control groups.
- SCA patients showed larger mean liver size (P=0.276).
- SCA patients exhibited significantly greater left kidney length and breadth (P=0.006, P=0.008).
- Spleen size and IVC diameter were smaller in SCA patients but not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Two-dimensional ultrasound is useful for monitoring intra-abdominal organ changes in SCA children.
- Ultrasound offers cost-effective benefits for managing SCA patient health outcomes.
- This imaging modality aids in understanding long-term SCA effects.
Background:
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a hereditary blood disorder with global prevalence, including in Nigeria. Despite advancements in SCA care management, understanding the long-term impact on organs during steady state has remained inconclusive.
Aim:
This study aimed to investigate the long-term changes in intra-abdominal organs of SCA children compared with non-SCA children during steady state using two-dimensional ultrasound assessment.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 116 children (58 SCA and 58 controls) were enrolled between June 2021 and July 2022. Clinico-demographic data were collected through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Two-dimensional ultrasound was used to measure the liver, spleen, kidneys, and inferior vena cava in all subjects. Age-matched controls had AA or AS genotypes.
Results:
Of the 58 patients with SCA, 65.5% were males with an overall mean age of 8.1 ± 3.4 years, while among the non-SCA cohort (n = 58), 48.3% were males with an overall mean age of 8.7 ± 3.9 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the age and gender distribution between the SCA and non-SCA cohorts (P = 0.390 and P = 0.091, respectively). SCA subjects had a larger mean hepatic size than non-SCA subjects (12.09 cm ± 2.23 vs. 11.67 cm ± 1.96; P = 0.276) but smaller mean splenic size (8.01 cm ± 1.89 vs. 8.19 cm ± 1.61; P = 0.577) and inferior vena cava diameter (1.16 cm ± 0.29 vs. 1.25 cm ± 0.33; P = 0.100). Left kidney length and breadth were significantly greater in SCA patients (8.91 ± 1.16 vs. 8.27 ± 1.30; P = 0.006 and 4.15 ± 0.92 vs. 3.79 ± 0.48; P = 0.008, respectively).
Conclusion:
This study highlights the utility of two-dimensional ultrasound assessment in monitoring intra-abdominal organ changes in SCA children, suggesting its cost-effective benefits in monitoring health outcomes in SCA patients.
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