Immunoglobulins and lipid profile of children with sickle cell anemia in ekiti state, nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by an abnormality in the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin and associated with some acute and chronic health problems such as severe infections, severe pain (sickle cell crisis), and stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) and the lipid profile in children with SCD in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Methods: Samples of 200 children (120 sickle celled and 80 healthy children) between the ages of 1–8 years old were collected from Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti and Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Plasma Ig (IgM and IgG) and lipid profile (total cholesterol [TC], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL (VLDL), and triacylglycerol [TG]) were evaluated in patients’ blood sample using standard established methods. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis (P<0.05). Results: Sickle-celled children showed a significant reduction in the levels of Ig (IgM and IgG). Furthermore, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and TG showed significant higher value whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly reduced in sickle-celled patients compared with nonsickle-celled patients. Conclusion: It is understood that sickle cell is detrimental to immunoglobins and metabolic profile. These biochemical makers determined were implicated in children with sickle cell anemia.