ESPE Abstracts

Background: Children with SCA are six times likely to be vitamin D deficient. The prevalence of VDD in SCA is 65–100% (USA, Jeddah, Spain, England). Reasons for these include: recurrent illness, hospitalization, Increase resting energy expenditure, poor appetite, inadequate food intake, increased energy & micronutrient needs and probably excessive body covering. VDD in SCA is associated with increasing co morbidities. However, there are no studies from Nigeria the country with the highest burden of SCA. Assessing the vitamin D status of SCA children is the first step towards addressing this challenge.

Objective and hypotheses: To determine the vitamin D status of children with sickle cell anaemia.

Method: SCD-SS aged 2–18 years, who consent/assent to participate with no clinical evidence of extensive skin diseases, Liver disease, renal failure were enrolled into the study. Data was collected using a pre tested structured questionnaire. Blood samples for bone biochemistry (calcium, alkaline phosphatase & phosphorous) and 25 hydroxy vitamin D assay were collected and analyzed. Data was analyzed using Epi info CDC software version 3.6.1. A P-value<0.05 was considered significant. Ethical review board of the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Results: The mean Serum 25 hydroxy vitamin D was 14.2+6.7 ng/dl (range 6.35–34.8 ng/dl). Vitamin D deficiency was reported in 88.5%. 31% of subjects had vitamin D levels below 10 ng/dl. VDD was not associated with gender, religion, social class, but associated with age (P>0.05).

Conclusion: VDD is prevalent in 88.5% of children with SCA in Jos with 31.0% having severe deficiency (<10 ng/dl). Children older than 10 years are more affected.

Funding: PETCA research grant.