Head circumference of children with sickle cell disease in Lagos, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Growth retardation and under-nutrition are common in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The aim of this study was to compare the head circumference (HC) of SCD children and non-SCD children and to determine the effect of malnutrition on head circumference of children with SCD.


METHODS
This was a prospective case-control study conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, involving SCD children (subject, n = 118) and non-SCD children (control, n = 118) matched for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Weight, height and HC were measured using standard techniques.


RESULTS
The mean ages of children with and without SCD were 7.46 ± 3.69 years and 7.01 ± 3.58 years, respectively. The HC increased significantly with age in both males and females (r = 0.75, p = < 0.001; r = 0.70, p < 0.001 respectively). There was no significant difference in HC between males and females (p > 0.05). At all ages, the mean head circumference of SCD children was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from non-SCD children. The In the age group 11-15 years, the prevalence of stunting was significantly higher among SCD children than non-SCD children. The mean HC of SCD children with stunting was significantly lower than those not stunted (51.7 vs. 53.5; P= 0.006) in age group 11.15 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The head circumference of children with SCD is not significantly different from that of non-SCD children. Therefore, the HC chart for the general population is also applicable for monitoring head growth in children with SCD. The effect of malnutrition on head circumference of SCD children is most marked in age group 11-15 years.
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lagos State University College of Medicine, PMB 21266, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Idowu Odunayo
IO
Senbanjo
Department of Pharmacology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Kazeem Adeola
KA
Oshikoya
Department of Pharmacology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Mohammed
M
Salisu
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Lagos State University College of Medicine, PMB 21266, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
Ijeoma Nnenna
IN
Diaku-Akinwumi
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies
Head circumference; growth standard; sickle cell disease