Micronutrient levels and haemato-biochemical status of patients with sickle cell anaemia at a tertiary hospital in Abakaliki, south-eastern Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction nutritional status is an under-studied environmental factor that can impact the phenotypic manifestations of patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA). This study aimed to define hemato-biochemical parameters and micronutrient status in patients with SCA. Methods this was a cross-sectional study of patients with SCA and hemoglobin genotype HBAA controls at a tertiary health facility in Abakaliki, from 2 nd December 2020 to 31 st March 2021. Plasma micronutrient levels, haemato-biochemical parameters were analyzed and anthropometric measurements obtained from all participants. Results sixty participants with SCA had 58.3% females (mean age of 24.77±7.39 years) while controls had 50% females (mean age of 26.23 ± 8.44 years). The SCA group had significantly lowered calcium (2.733 ± 1.593 vs 1.846 ± 1.123 mmol/l; p=0.009) and magnesium (19.38 ± 6.37 vs 9.65 ± 1.38 mg/dl; p= < 0.001) levels but higher plasma iron (1.70 ± 0.89 vs 1.06 ± 0.53; p=0.001). Zinc and Copper did not reveal significant differences between the two groups. Chloride ion levels was significantly lower in the SCA patients (107.50 ± 17.42 vs 100.19 ± 12.92; p=0.026) while Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total white blood cell (WBC) and platelets (PLT) count were higher compared with the HBAA group (255.72 ± 124.52 vs 134.56 ± 39.67; p= <0.001, 46.86 ± 25.03 vs 25.63 ± 18.80; p = 0.001, 13.21± 6.57 vs 6.10 ± 1.35; p= < 0.001 and 369.25 ± 138.11 vs 209.36 ± 47.85; p= <0.001). Conclusion Copper and zinc deficiency was not present in our population of SCA patients but, they had lower plasma calcium and magnesium levels and elevated levels of blilirubin, ALP, WBC and platelets PLT counts. These parameters can be explored in designing better management for patients with SCA

Serum zinc and magnesium levels in steady state sickle cell children with or without anaemia attending Jos University Teaching Hospital, North-Central Nigeria

“…Conversely, magnesium modulates the movement of ions across cellular membranes and is crucial in erythrocyte volume control, which prevents dehydration and destruction in sickle cell pathology. 7 The K-Cl cotransport plays a very important role in sickle cell dehydration and is inhibited by a significant increase in the levels of magnesium. 3 From this study, serum Mg was significantly (<0.05) lower in SCD children compared to the controls.…”

“…6 Magnesium modulates the movement of ions across cellular membranes and is crucial in erythrocyte volume control, which prevents dehydration and destruction in sickle cell pathology. 7 Magnesium deficiency has been associated with sickling, increased polymerization and vaso-occlusion (VOC) in sickle cell due to cell dehydration. The K-Cl cotransport plays a very important role in sickle cell dehydration and is inhibited by significant increase levels of magnesium.…”

The Impact of G6PD Deficiency on Liver Function in Children Under 15

“…Generally, constant hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency increases bilirubin levels and the plasma load of AST, but hepatocyte damage from a variety of sources may account for the comparatively elevated levels of ALT and AST [33]. A new research shows that men have slightly higher levels of bilirubin than women [34].…”

“…ALP, ALT, and AST are the biomarker enzymes that measure liver health, and the elevated AST levels are found to be associated with hemolytic disorders. According to clinical evidence, the levels of ALP, ALT, and AST increase in the G6PD-deficient patients [33] (see Table 7). Figure (1) shows that there is a strong positive correlation between total protein and TSB, where there is a great value of r 2 which means that when the total proteine levels rise, the level of TSB rises.…”

Insegurança alimentar e nutricional em adultos com doença falciforme: um protocolo de revisão de escopo

“…As crises álgicas, as constantes infecções e a inapetência alimentar, aumentam as demandas nutricionais que nos indivíduos que apresentam Insegurança Alimentar e Nutricional (IAN) são maiores e podem agravar a situação de saúde, já que a alimentação adequada é essencial para reduzir a imunossupressão decorrente da ausência de micronutrientes essenciais e o risco das complicações da doença (3,9,13) .…”