ALTERATIONS IN BLOOD CELL COUNTS AND RED CELL INDICES IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE

ABSTRACT

One of the major indicators of the severity and progression of sickle cell disease lies in the alterations observed in blood cell counts and red cell indices. The haematological profile of individuals with SCD often exhibits a complex interplay of changes that shows the underlying physiological challenges they face. While anaemia is a common feature due to increased RBC destruction and ineffective erythropoiesis, other haematological parameters such as white blood cell count, platelet count, and various red cell indices also undergo modifications. The aim of this study was to determine the alterations in blood cell counts and red cell indices in sickle cell patients. A total of forty (40) adult study participants with sickle cell disease (HbSS) attending the university of Benin teaching hospital and sickle cell centre as outpatients in Benin City were recruited. Forty (40) age and sex matched non-sickle cell disease (HbAA and HbAS) individuals were also recruited as control subjects. Haematological parameters were determined using haematology autoanalyzer and data obtained was analyzed by the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software, p<0.05 was considered significant. The result showed that total white blood cell count was significantly higher in HbSS (14.15±8.55) participants when compared to HbAA (3.72±1.01) and HbAS (4.12±0.87) (p<0.05). MID level was significantly higher in HbSS (6.98±8.15) participants when compared to HbAA (0.37±0.11) and HbAS (0.39±0.15) (p<0.05). Granulocytes was significantly higher in HbSS (8.40±8.62) participants when compared to HbAA (1.55±0.83) and HbAS (2.02±0.47) (p<0.05). Red blood cell count was significantly lower in HbSS (2.61±0.89) participants when compared to HbAA (4.74±0.36) and HbAS (4.70±0.81) (p<0.05). Haemoglobin concentration was significantly lower in HbSS (6.45±2.08) participants when compared to HbAA (4.74±0.36) and HbAS (4.70±0.81) (p<0.05). Haematocrit was significantly lower in HbSS (20.24±6.06) participants when compared to HbAA (33.54±3.47) and HbAS (29.82±10.41) (p<0.05). Mean cell volume (MCV) was significantly higher in HbSS (79.71±11.62) participants when compared to HbAA (70.75±4.96) (p<0.05). Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly lower in HbSS (31.71±1.98) participants when compared to HbAA (34.27±0.56) and HbAS (34.17±0.62) (p<0.05). There was no observed significant difference in platelet count, MPV, PDW and PCT of HbAA, HbAS and HbSS participants. In conclusion, there was increase in white blood cell parameters while red blood cell indices exhibited a decreased RBC count, hemoglobin, haematocrit, and MCHC, accompanied by an increased MCV. Platelet count and indices showed no significant differences. These findings collectively contribute to our understanding of the intricate Haematological changes inherent to sickle cell disease and hold potential implications for diagnosis, management, and targeted interventions for affected individuals.