Author(s): Chinawa JM1, Emodi I2, Ikefuna A, Ocheni S , Uwaezuoke SN
Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) may be associated with alterations in coagulation profile which may be associated with derangement of haemostatic mechanisms that may impart a thrombogenic tendency. This coagulation activation in SCA triggers haemolysis thus affecting haemoglobin concentration. The aim of this study is to determine the correlation if any between haemoglobin concentration and coagulation profile among children with SCA in steady state and crisis and those with normal HbAA genotype. To compare the mean values of haemoglobin concentration in steady state and crisis with those with normal haemoglobin genotype. This is a prospective observational study involving 50 children with SCA in steady state, 50 with vaso-occlusive crisis and 50 with HbAA genotype carried out from June 2009 through October 2009. All the values were matched for age and sex. Among sickle cell patients in steady state, haemoglobin concentration has a significant negative correlation with activated partial thromboplastin time r= (- 0.33 for steady state) and (r=-0.26 for crises) and shows a negative correlation with prothrombin time, bleeding time and thrombin time. Haemoglobin concentration however shows a positive correlation with platelet count. Among sickle cell anaemia patients in vaso-occlusive crisis, haemoglobin concentration shows a significant positive correlation with platelet count (r=0.38), activated partial thromboplastin time(r=-0.26) and a significant negative correlation with prothrombin time(r=-0.29). Among normal HbAA patients, haemoglobin concentration shows no significant correlation with coagulation variables. The mean haemoglobin concentration(g/dl) of children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state (7.2+1.2) and crisis (6.8+1.7), were significantly lower than those with normal haemoglobin genotype (10.8 +1.2); P < 0.000. Haemoglobin concentration correlates positively with platelet and negatively with other coagulation profile among SCA in steady state and crises but not affected in normal HBAA genotype.