Prevalence of Subclinical Rickets in Sickle Cell Anemic Children at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Bone diseases are a common co-morbidity in sickle cell anemic (SCA) children. In our environment skeletal abnormalities are well documented but there is limited documentation on metabolic bone disorders, such as rickets, despite the heighten risk in these children. Furthermore, differentiation between the clinical features of rickets and that of SCA is challenging because of an overlap of clinical features. Aim: To determine the prevalence of subclinical rickets (SR) in the study population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study amongst SCA children aged 2-18 years. All 113 subjects randomly sampled had their clinical and demographic data taken. Blood sample were also taken for calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase assay. Data was computed using EPI info version 7.0 statistical software. SR was compared with socioeconomic variables using the chi square test or fisher exact score at 95% confidence interval. Results: Subclinical rickets was present in 21.2% of the studied population and was significantly association with age (P = 0.01). However SR was not association gender, social economic status, religion and place of residence. Conclusion: SR is a medical burden among children presenting with sickle cell anemia in JUTH. In order to maximize health potentials, children with SCA should be screened for SR in our environment. Keywords: Subclinical Rickets, Sickle cell Anemia.