Contribution of malaria and sickle cell disease to anaemia among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study using data from the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey

Abstract

ObjectivesTo estimate the fraction of anaemia attributable to malaria and sickle cell disease (SCD) among children aged 6–59 months in Nigeria.DesignCross-sectional analysis of data from Nigeria’s 2018 Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).SettingNigeria.Participants11 536 children aged 6–59 months from randomly selected households were eligible for participation, of whom 11 142 had complete and valid biomarker data required for this analysis. Maternal education data were available from 10 305 of these children.Primary outcome measureHaemoglobin concentration.ResultsWe found that 70.6% (95% CI: 62.7% to 78.5%) of severe anaemia was attributable to malaria compared with 12.4% (95% CI: 11.1% to 13.7%) of mild-to-severe and 29.6% (95% CI: 29.6% to 31.8%) of moderate-to-severe anaemia and that SCD contributed 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4% to 0.9%), 1.3% (95% CI: 1.0% to 1.7%) and 10.6% (95% CI: 6.7% to 14.9%) mild-to-severe, moderate-to-severe and severe anaemia, respectively. Sickle trait was protective against anaemia and was associated with higher haemoglobin concentration compared with children with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) among malaria-positive but not malaria-negative children.ConclusionsThis approach used offers a new tool to estimate the contribution of malaria to anaemia in many settings using widely available DHS data. The fraction of anaemia among young children in Nigeria attributable to malaria and SCD is higher at more severe levels of anaemia. Prevention of malaria and SCD and timely treatment of affected individuals would reduce cases of severe anaemia.

Prospective observational study iron deficiency anemia clinical profile in children with sickle cell disease: a study protocol

“…While much research has been dedicated to understanding the pathophysiology and management of SCD, one aspect that continues to challenge clinicians and researchers is the co-occurrence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pediatric patients with SCD. 2 Iron deficiency anemia represents a distinct clinical entity marked by iron deficiency, which is necessary for red blood cell production and other critical cellular processes. 3 In the context of SCD, the interplay between these two hematological conditions is complex and needs to be fully elucidated.…”