Assessment of visual and blood-related parameters among children with sickle cell anaemia at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano, Nigeria.

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent genetic disease worldwide and particularly in Nigeria. Retinopathy is a known complication of SCD, underscoring the need to assess visual parameters in children. This study aimed to evaluate the visual acuity (VA), color vision (CV), packed cell volume (PCV), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of Sickle cell anemic (SCA) patients attending the Sickle cell counseling unit of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH) in Kano. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study consisting of 60 participants, including 30 SCA patients and 30 healthy controls without systemic or ocular diseases, aged between 8 and 14 years. Visual acuity, CV, PCV, and ESR were assessed using Snellen Chart, Ishihara chart, Hematocrit test, and Westergren Method respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Both SCA patients and controls demonstrated limited knowledge about VA, CV, and ESR tests, and a significant percentage had never undergone these tests. SCA patients exhibited mild to moderate visual impairment (VI) in both eyes, while controls had no VI. Abnormally low PCV and ESR values were observed in all SCA patients, whereas controls had normal values. Gender differences were observed in ESR levels, with females showing higher levels. Significant differences were found between controls and SCA patients in terms of VA, ESR, and PCV values. There was a general lack of awareness regarding the importance of VA and CV tests in the community. Visual impairment and abnormal PCV and ESR values were exclusive to the SCA patients, indicating their association with the disease.