ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS AMONG STICKLERS

Introduction: Growth retardation in weight and height was reported among patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA).The growth retardation, delayed sexual development and poor immunologic response are possibly due to the under nutritional state associated with the disease. The active metabolic state observed in sicklers is due to an increase in the synthesis of Hb, cardiac work, cell turnover, and a decrease in appetite and intake. Objectives: Tto compare anthropometric measurement (weight, height and body mass index (BMI) ) between sicklers and normal children and to study factors related to the nutritional status of sicklers. Patients and methods: This comparative hospital based study based study done among sicklers and control group using a questionnaire. Results: Stu nted weight (less than 3rd centile) was observed in 49 (56.3%) sicklers compared to 9(11.4%) controls, 38(43.7%) sicklers and 51(64.6%) controls had their weight in the range between 5th - 95th centile while 30(34.5%) sicklers and 7(8.9%) controls had thei r height less than 5th centile. A total of 40(46%) sicklers and 53(67.1%) control had a height outside the range of than 5th - 95th percentile ,however it was observed that 17(19.5%) sicklers had their height more than 95th compared to 19(24%) controls. BM I was recorded as less than 5thin 51(58.7%) of the sicklers compared to7(8.9%) in the controls. Children from low social class were recorded in79.6%, 63.3% and 78.4%of weight, height and BMI stunting respectively .Finally stunting in weight, height and BM I was more obvious in older children. Conclusion: Most of sickle cell anemia patients had weight and body mass index retardation, this problem was mostly observed towards adolescent age