title: Body mass index and other anthropometric variables in children with sickle cell anaemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this study were to determine the anthropometric variables of children with sickle cell anaemia and comparing it with those with normal haemoglobin genotype.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study of anthropometric measurements was conducted over a period of six months. Children with sickle cell anaemia in steady state aged between 6-20 years were recruited. Nutritional assessment was done using anthropometrical variables. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS), version 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sickle cell patients comprised of 20 males and 20 females. There were an equal number of controls with an equal male to female ratio of 1:1. Forty eight percent (19) of the children with sickle cell anemia were underweight (< 5th %ile) and this is statistically significant. χ(2)=18.02 and p=0.000. When compared with subjects with normal haemoglobin genotype only five of them (13%) were underweight. χ(2)=10.286 and p=0.001. The controls weighed significantly more than the HbSS patients and also had significantly larger body surface compared to the HbSS population (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BMI and other anthropometric variables among children with sickle cell anemia were low when compared with children with normal Haemoglobin genotype.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Odutola Israel Odetunde, Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, PMB 01129, Ituku - Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Odutola Israel
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Odetunde
authors.affiliation: Dr. Josephat Maduabuchi Chinawa, Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, PMB 01129, Ituku - Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Josephat Maduabuchi
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chinawa
authors.affiliation: Dr. Kingsley Ihedioha Achigbu, Department of Pediatric, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Kingsley Ihedioha
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Achigbu
authors.affiliation: Dr. Eberechukwu O Achigbu, Department of Ophthalmology, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Eberechukwu O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Achigbu
keywords: Anthropometry; Children; Nigeria; Sickle cell anaemia; Z-sore