Curr Pediatr Res 2012 Volume 16 Issue 2 137 Curr Pediatr Res 2012; 16 (2): 137-141 ISSN 0971-9032 Scientific Publishers of India Steady state, Gender comparison of haemoglobin concentration and vital signs of children with Sickle Cell anaemia in Crises and Steady State at- tending UNTH Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, Nigeria. Chinawa JM 1 , Emodi I 2 , Ikefuna A 3 , Ocheni S 4 , Uwaezuoke SN 5 1. Lecturer Department of Paediatrics College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Nigeria. 2. Reader Department of Paediatrics College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Nigeria. 3. Senior Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Nigeria. 4. Senior Lecturer, Department of Haematology & Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Nigeria 5. Reader, Department of Paediatrics College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Nigeria Abstract Sickle Cell anaemia (SCA) is a genetic haematological disorder characterized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape. The current steady state haemoglobin con- centration among children with sickle cell anaemia attending University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital since relocation to the present new site four years ago are not known necessitating the study. Objectives: To determine the steady state, gender comparison of haemoglobin con- centration and vital signs among children with Sickle Cell anaemia in Crises and Steady State attending UNTH Ituku-0zalla Enugu. This is a prospective observational study involving 50 children with SCA in steady state, 50 in crisis and 50 with normal haemoglobin AA genotype carried out between June 2009 and October 2009. The steady state haemoglobin concentration among children with sickle cell anaemia in this environment was 7.2±1.2g/dl. The mean hae- moglobin concentration among the group of subjects showed a significant gender difference (p=0.016). Females in both crises and steady state had fairly high haemoglobin concentration when compared to their male counterparts. The mean temperature, pulse and respiratory rate of sickle cell anaemia subjects in crises were 37.2±1.03oC, 101.15±19.73/mins and 34.0±3.36/mins respectively while the values for steady state and control were lower and sta- tistically significant. The mean haemoglobin concentration of subjects in g/dl (crises 6.8+1.7 and steady state 7.2+1.2) was significantly lower than (10.8+1.2) obtained in the controls. Fe- males with SCA had fairly high haemoglobin concentration when compared to the male coun- terparts. Keywords: Sickle cell anaemia, steady state, haemoglobin concentration, crises Accepted March o1 2012 Introduction Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a heritable disorder charac- terized by red blood cells that assume an abnormal, rigid, sickle shape [1]. This disorder contributes the equivalent of 3.4% mortality in children aged under -5 worldwide [2]. Sickle cell disorders were originally found in the tropics and subtropics but are now common worldwide due to migration of people from tropical to temperate zone.[2] The prevalence of SCA in Nigeria is about 3% affecting about 20 per thousand new borns.[3] It is noted that 85% of sickle cell disorders and over 70% of all af- fected births occur in Africa. [4] It is also known that at least 5.2% of the world population carry a significant trait [4]. The mean value of Steady state haemoglobin concentra- tion varies from patient to patient. It is also not known if there is any relationship between gender and haemoglobin concentration among children with SCA in this environ- ment thus necessitating the study. This study therefore aims at determining the levels of