Growth and nutritional status of children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia

Background Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a chronic condition that impacts the nutritional status and growth of patients through various mechanisms. Objectives This case–control study aimed to determine the growth patterns and nutritional status of pediatric patients with SCA and to investigate the effects of selected clinical, hematological, and biochemical parameters on nutritional status. Patients and methods The study included 168 children and adolescents with SCA (in a steady state) and 181 healthy children as a control group. Data (anthropometry, complete blood count, and levels of lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, zinc, and copper) were evaluated for both groups. The WHO Child Growth Standards were used to assess the nutritional status of participants. Results Underweight, stunting, and wasting were detected in 13.55, 25.25, and 12.5% of patients with SCA compared with 2.6, 2.75, and 2.20% of healthy children and adolescents, respectively (P<0.05). In contrast, 8.33% of patients and 7.18% of individuals in the control group were overweight and obese, respectively. The weight curve at the age of 6–7 years in women and 9–10 years in men was significantly lower among patients with SCA than the control group. While the height curve started to decrease significantly at the age of 8–9 years in male patients and more than or equal to 11 years in female patients compared with the control group. Age of patients and high C-reactive protein levels were independent risk factors for stunting. Meanwhile, number of hospital admissions/year were independent risk factors for wasting. Conclusion A high prevalence of poor growth was observed in children with SCA, and the weight curve started to decrease earlier in women, while the height curve decreased earlier in men. Stunting was the most common nutritional problem and was positively associated with the age of patients.