Sickle Cell Disease and Obesity in the Pediatric Population in Mississippi

Abstract

Background: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) have higher resting basal metabolic rates than healthy peers and have historically been underweight. Current treatments increase patients' hemoglobin (Hb) level and decrease reticulocytosis, which may in turn decrease patients' basal metabolic rates. Objective: To examine the rates of overweight and obesity in children with SCD compared to state and national norms and to assess the correlation between Hb and weight status. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with SCD between the ages of 2-19 years from October 2013 until April 2019. Data were collected from the most recent clinic visit and Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles were calculated using Center for Disease Control growth charts. Mississippi and national weight status estimates for youth 10-17 years were obtained from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health. Results: Data were available for 787 patients. For children 10-17 years (n = 480), 24.5% of patients were overweight/obese compared to Mississippi and national rates, 39.2% and 31%, respectively. The prevalence of 10-17 year olds who were overweight (12.7%) was not significantly different from Mississippi (13.1%) or national (15.2%) (p = 0.13). Hb were different among patients who were underweight (8.80g/dL), normal weight (9.2g/dL), and overweight/obese (10.5g/dL) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Children with SCD in Mississippi have similar rates of overweight compared to state and national norms and have higher Hb than patients with SCD who are normal weight/underweight. The impact of increased BMI in SCD is unknown and additional longitudinal studies are needed.