Elevated Plasma D-dimer Levels In Children with Sickle Cell Anemia In Steady State Attending State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) has been linked with altered plasma levels of D‑dimer. However, routine assessment of D‑dimer and other coagulation indices in SCA patients are rarely carried out. The aim of this study was to determine the mean plasma levels of D‑dimer and other coagulation indices in children with SCA in a steady state and them with with that of healthy HbAA genotype controls.

Materials and Methods: This was a case–control study involving 40 children with SCA in steady state and 40 healthy HbAA genotype controls. Plasma D‑dimer, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet count were determined using appropriate laboratory techniques. Data analysis was by JMP software. Independent t‑test was used to determine the difference in quantitative variables between SCA patients and controls. P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Mean ages of the SCA patients and controls were 13.98 ± 6.71 and 13.85 ± 7.45, respectively. The SCA patients had longer mean PT (20.48 ± 6.51 vs. 13.89 ± 2.13, P = 0.0001) and aPTT (40.91 ± 9.08 vs. 32.63 ± 4.44, P = 0.0001) compared to the controls. Similarly, the SCA patients had higher platelet count (449.70 ± 162.87 vs. 302.58 ± 83.34 × 109 /L, P = 0.0001) and plasma D‑dimer (3.18 ± 2.72 mg/L vs. 0.29 ± 0.52 mg/L, P = 0.0001) compared to the controls. Equally, 98% of the SCA patients had high plasma D‑dimer.

Conclusion: The SCA patients had higher plasma D‑dimer and platelet count and longer PT and aPTT compared to controls.

Keywords: D‑dimer, Maiduguri, Nigeria, sickle cell anemia, steady state