title: Foetal haemoglobin in Nigerian children with sickle cell anaemia. Effect on haematological parameters and clinical severity.
abstract: The relationship of foetal haemoglobin (HbF) to several clinical and haematological parameters in 86 children aged 5 to 16 years who had sickle cell anaemia (SCA) has been examined. The mean HbF level was 6.8 +/- 3.6%. Higher HbF values were significantly associated with fewer blood transfusions, fewer hospital admissions and higher rate of hepatomegaly. A trend for children with higher HbF levels to have better physical development and a more normal haemogram was also noted though this was not statistically significant.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D012805:Sickle Cell Trait / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin