Abstract
IntroductionGrowth retardation and under-nutrition are common in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The aim of this study was to compare the head circumference (HC) of SCD children and non-SCD children and to determine the effect of malnutrition on head circumference of children with SCD.MethodsThis was a prospective case-control study conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, involving SCD children (subject, n = 118) and non-SCD children (control, n = 118) matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Weight, height and HC were measured using standard techniques.ResultsThe mean ages of children with and without SCD were 7.46 ± 3.69 years and 7.01 ± 3.58 years, respectively. The HC increased significantly with age in both males and females (r = 0.75, p = < 0.001; r = 0.70, p < 0.001 respectively). There was no significant difference in HC between males and females (p > 0.05). At all ages, the mean head circumference of SCD children was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from non-SCD children. The In the age group 11-15 years, the prevalence of stunting was significantly higher among SCD children than non-SCD children. The mean HC of SCD children with stunting was significantly lower than those not stunted (51.7 vs. 53.5; P= 0.006) in age group 11.15 years.ConclusionThe head circumference of children with SCD is not significantly different from that of non-SCD children. Therefore, the HC chart for the general population is also applicable for monitoring head growth in children with SCD. The effect of malnutrition on head circumference of SCD children is most marked in age group 11-15 years.
Highlights
Growth retardation and under-nutrition are common in children with sickle cell disease (SCD)
Specific growth charts for head circumference are needed for certain clinical disorders such as Down syndrome, achondroplasia and sickle cell disease (SCD) which has as part of their manifestation impairment of growth of the head [4]
Sex distribution shows that 48.3% of SCD patients and 49.2% of non-SCD patients were male
Summary
Growth retardation and under-nutrition are common in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The mean head circumference of SCD children was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from non-SCD children. The effect of malnutrition on head circumference of SCD children is most marked in age group 11-15 years. It measures the distance from above the eyebrows and ears and around the back of the head [1] It is useful for monitoring growth of the head because it is an early indicator of abnormalities of the brain and skull bone. Children with SCD are prone to undernutrition due to increased metabolic demand [10] This poor nutritional status may influence growth of the brain.
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