Haematimetric Parameters in Sickle Cell Patients in a Critical and Interictal Period at the National Sickle Cell Reference Center in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo

Background: Sickle cell disease is the world's leading genetic disease, affecting 300,000 births per year in its major form. Africa has over 200,000 cases of sickle cell disease. Haematological parameters are routinely used in the follow-up of patients with sickle cell disease and may vary during the critical and intercritical period. The aim of our work is to determine the variation in haematological parameters of patients routinely followed at the national sickle cell reference centre. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 127 sickle cell patients regularly followed at the National Reference Centre for Sickle Cell Disease in steady or crisis state. Five milliliters of venous blood sample were collected by venipuncture in EDTA tubes. A complete blood count was performed, using a SYSMEX XN/350 machine. Results: Haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (HCT) levels for patients in stable condition were 7.24?1.62 g/dl and 21.15?4.50%, while in crisis condition they were 4.73?1.14 g/dl and 14.64.15?3.70. The total white blood cell count (WBC) in the steady state and in the crisis state was 8.58?3.07 and 9.64?4.34. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in steady state were 79.39?8.03 fl and 33.94?1.99 while in steady state they were 80.61?11.79 and 35.06?4.40. Conclusion: The present study found a high mean WBC value and lower Hb and HCT levels in patients in crisis. In addition, RBC levels were high in patients in stable condition.