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Table 1 Characteristics of the children with sickle cell anaemia studied

From: Wasting and stunting are still prevalent in children with sickle cell anaemia in Lagos, Nigeria

 

n = 233

Socio-demographic

 

Male, n %

142 (60.9)

Age, mean (SD), years

9.0 (4.0)

Adolescents (10-17 years), n %

98 (42.1)

Socio-economic class of family

 

 High, n (%)

3 (1.3)

 Middle, n (%)

138 (59.2)

 Low, n (%)

92 (39.5)

Severity of sickle cell anaemia

 

SCD diagnosis at or before age 12 months, n %

101 (43.3)

Previous year hospitalisation

 

 0

155 (66.5)

 1

55 (23.6)

 2

12 (5.2)

 >2

11 (4.7)

Severe bone pain previous yeara

 

 0

179 (76.8)

 1

39 (16.7)

 2

8 (3.4)

 >2

7 (3.0)

Blood transfusion ever, n (%)

118 (50.6)

Blood transfusion previous year, n (%)

41 (17.6)

Acute chest syndrome, n (%)

33 (14.2)

Hip avascular necrosis, n (%)

6 (2.6)

Leg ulcers, n (%)

6 (2.6)

Stroke, n (%)

5 (2.1)

Priapism, n (%)

14 (9.9)b

Haemoglobin level, mean (SD), g/dL

8.4 (1.2)

Foetal haemoglobin, median (range), %

8.0 (1.0-28.6)

Interventions (current receipt)

 

Chronic transfusion, n (%)

9 (3.9)c

Hydroxyurea, n (%)

59 (25.3)

Daily oral penicillin, n (%)

52 (22.3)

Anthropometry

 

Weight, kg

25.8 (10.3)

Height, m

1.28 (0.21)

Body mass index, kg/m2

14.8 (2.07)

Height for age z score

−0.59 (1.32)

Body mass index z score

−1.13 (1.30)

  1. asevere bone pain crisis was one requiring hospitalisation for more than 24 hours
  2. bpercentage of only male children; cthese children last received blood transfusion at least 3 months before study participation; these children were also taking hydroxyurea