Coagulation profile of children with sickle cell anemia in steady state and crisis attending the university of Nigeria teaching hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu.

BACKGROUND Sickle cell anemia is associated with a hypercoagulable state that may lead to alterations in a coagulation profile. Measurements of coagulation factors are known to have some predictive value for clinical outcome. OBJECTIVES To determine the coagulation profile of children with SCA in steady state and crisis and compare it with those with normal HbAA genotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a prospective observational study involving 50 children with SCA in steady state, 50 in crises, and 50 with HbAA genotype, carried out from June to October 2009. All the values of coagulation profile were matched for age and sex. RESULTS The mean Prothrombin time (PT) (12.5 ± 1.2 secs), Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) (41.6 ± 1.0 secs), and Thrombin time (TT) (12.3 ± 1.2 secs) of subjects with SCA in steady state as well as those during crises [PT (12.6 ± 1.8 secs), aPTT (45.6 ± 1.3 secs), TT (12.5 ± 1.7 secs)] were significantly prolonged compared to those of subjects with HbAA genotype. The mean bleeding time (BT) of 3.4 ± 1.0 mins was significantly shorter in children with SCA in steady state compared to those with HbAA genotype (3.7 ± 1.1 mins), (P < 0.038). CONCLUSION Coagulation profile of patients with SCA is prolonged both in steady state and during crisis and when compared to those with HbAA genotype, though all values are within normal range.