Impact Assessment of Foetal Haemoglobin on Biochemical Markers of Liver Function in Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Abstract

Background/objective: The role of foetal haemoglobin (HbF) on the modulation of clinical manifestations in sickle cell disease is well known but there is inconsistency as to the levels of HbF that may protective against the development of liver disease. This study evaluates the impact of HbF on biochemical markers of liver function in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in steady clinical state. Materials and Methods: Liver function tests: aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and proteins as well as HbF were assayed in SCD patients using colorimetric methods. Results: Out of 100 SCD patients, 24% had high (>5%) HbF while 76% had low (<4.9%) HbF levels. Those subjects with high HbF had lower (p<0.001) levels of measured variables except albumin which was higher compared to levels in those with low HbF. HbF correlated negatively with the measured variables except albumin. Conclusion: The SCD patients with high HbF had lower levels of the measured variables compared to those with low levels of HbF. High HbF levels (>5%) may be protective against the development of liver pathology in SCD patients in steady clinical state.