Prevalence of iron deficiency in children with sickle cell anaemia at Muhimbili National Hospital.

Abstract

Background Sickle cell anaemia is a genetically inherited haemoglobinopathy and is among the major cause of severe anaemia in children in Tanzania. The anaemia is of haemolytic type but several studies have reported iron deficiency anaemia in these patients. (20,21,22) The possible causes of iron deficiency in these children have been speculated to be similar to non-sickler children. (20) Objective To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and possible contributing factors in sickle cell anaemic patients Study design A cross sectional descriptive study Study setting The study was conducted at the paediatric out patient clinic for sickle cell anaemia of Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, from August 2002 to February 2003. Subjects A total of lOO children aged between 6 months to 10 years inclusive attending outpatient sickle cell clinic, were recruited into the study