title: Biochemical features of hepatic dysfunction in Nigerians with sickle cell anaemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study seeks to document the biochemical manifestations of liver dysfunction in Nigerians with sickle cell anaemia with the aim of alerting physicians on the need to consider these changes in the overall management of the disease condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum total proteins, albumin, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) levels were estimated in 150 patients with sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) and 100 control (HbAA) subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum total proteins and albumin levels were found to fall within the reference intervals in both the HbSSpatients and the controls. However, the mean bilirubin (total and conjugated) levels and the activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the HbSSpatients than the control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated elevated levels of serum bilirubin, ALP, ALT and AST in patients with sickle cell anaemia.
authors: Department of Chemical Pathology, Bayero University, Kano and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Nigeria.
authors: I A
authors: IA
authors: Yahaya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000986:Antisickling Agents; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000637:Transaminases; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D001663:Bilirubin