Main Article Content
Leptin and Anthropometric Indices in Adolescents with Sickle Cell Anaemia
Abstract
Background: Leptin is a peptide hormone secreted by adipocytes and acts to promote weight loss by decreasing food intake, increasing metabolic rate and energy expenditure. In sickle cell anaemia (SCA), poor growth and nutritional status are common clinical features. Adolescence is a period of rapid growth; in sickle cell anaemia patients, this oftentimes is impaired. This is a report of the relationship between leptin, and anthropometric measurements in adolescent SCA patients.
Methodology: Sixty seven consecutively consenting patients from the paediatric outpatient clinic of the Jos university teaching hospital were recruited for the study.
Results: Sixty seven adolescents aged 10-19years attending the clinic were recruited. Mean weight of patients was 32.4±1.3kg. Mean weight, males was 30.7±9.1kg, females 34.5±11.8kg, p=0.14 Mean height 137.2±2.8cm, 0males 133.7±28.4cm, females 141.5±13.8 p=0.18; mean TSFT was 8.9±0.63mm males 6.86±3.5mm, females 11.4±5.7 p=0.002. Mean MUAC was 17.4±0.3cm, males 16.9±2.7, females 15.4±2.3, p=0.07. Among subjects, 17/67 (25.4%) had BMI-for-age within normal ranges for age and sex while 2/67 (3%) were overweight for age and sex. The rest were thin for age and sex. Mean serum leptin in SCA was 1.67±1.1; males 1.2±0.5, females 2.2±1.4 p=0.005. Serum leptin concentration was higher in mid-adolescent males while females exhibited a higher level in early adolescence and late adolescence. Serum leptin showed positive correlation with BMIFA. Strength of association was greater in females than in males.
Conclusion: SCA patients had low anthropometric indices with 3% of them overweight. Mean leptin levels correlated with BMI but more marked in females than in males.
Methodology: Sixty seven consecutively consenting patients from the paediatric outpatient clinic of the Jos university teaching hospital were recruited for the study.
Results: Sixty seven adolescents aged 10-19years attending the clinic were recruited. Mean weight of patients was 32.4±1.3kg. Mean weight, males was 30.7±9.1kg, females 34.5±11.8kg, p=0.14 Mean height 137.2±2.8cm, 0males 133.7±28.4cm, females 141.5±13.8 p=0.18; mean TSFT was 8.9±0.63mm males 6.86±3.5mm, females 11.4±5.7 p=0.002. Mean MUAC was 17.4±0.3cm, males 16.9±2.7, females 15.4±2.3, p=0.07. Among subjects, 17/67 (25.4%) had BMI-for-age within normal ranges for age and sex while 2/67 (3%) were overweight for age and sex. The rest were thin for age and sex. Mean serum leptin in SCA was 1.67±1.1; males 1.2±0.5, females 2.2±1.4 p=0.005. Serum leptin concentration was higher in mid-adolescent males while females exhibited a higher level in early adolescence and late adolescence. Serum leptin showed positive correlation with BMIFA. Strength of association was greater in females than in males.
Conclusion: SCA patients had low anthropometric indices with 3% of them overweight. Mean leptin levels correlated with BMI but more marked in females than in males.
