HAEMOGLOBIN F LEVEL AND HAEMATOLOGICAL FEATURE AMONG SUDANESE CHILDREN WITH SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA UNDERGOING HYDROXYUREA THERAPY

Abstract

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the major types of anemia found in Sudan.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Hydroxyurea (HU) treatment on Hb F level, reticulocyte count and the haematological feature among Sudanese children with SCA. The study included 38 children with SCA who were started a HU treatment(20mg/kg two times per week) following enrollment in the study. 2ml EDTA blood samples were collected from each patient at 4 time points (at the baseline, one month, two months and three months of HU treatment) for complete blood count (CBC), reticulocyte count and Hb F estimation.Our study revealed that haematological values, reticulocyte count and Hb F levelwere significantly improved after 3 months of HU treatment,this improvement was observed from the first month of HU treatment with further improvement in the second and third months. the rise in Hb F level is probably not the only mechanism of beneficial effect of HU. Other mechanisms are likely to contribute to the clinical benefits of HU.Our study revealed no significant correlation between Hb F level and the improvement in the heamtlogical parameters;this finding may suggest that, the rise in Hb F level is probably not the only mechanism of beneficial effect of HU. Other mechanisms are likely to contribute to the clinical benefits of HU.

Keywords: SCA, Hydroxyurea, Haemoglobin F, Reticulocyte count, Sudan.