An Anthropometric Study Of Children With Sickle Cell Anaemia At The Kenyatta National Hospital,Nairobi.
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Date
1983Author
Mpaata, Patricia J
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Weights,heights, upper-mid-arm circumference, skin fold-thickness
and head circumference measurements were recorded in a cross sectional
study of 256 children with sickle-cell anemia aged
between 5 months and 14 years. The children were grouped into
high and low socioeconomic class using their fathers' educational
background and the type of job. Compared with 172 normal controls,
weight was significantly less at all ages; the average height of
younger patients was significantly Less but that of older patients
was close to that of centrals. Weight and height were more
favorable for the high compared with the low socioeconomic
sickles. The same trend was observed in the upper-mid-arm
circumference and skin fold thickness measurements, Head;circumference measurements shewed high mean values in favour of the
sickles, the low socioeconomic class sickles showing the highest
scores.
Although there were sexual, differences in achieved growth, this had
no relationship either socioeconomic status or the sickle-cell
disease. It appears that sickle-cell-anemia accounts for some
degree of physical retardation and malnutrition in the affected
children. It is felt that as the standards of living improve
better social circumstances will lead to better physical growth of
the sickle-cell anemia patients. meanwhile emphasis in management
should be placed In improved nutrition, prevention and
treatment of inter-current infections and anemia.
Citation
Master of medicine,Paediatrics and child health,University of Nairobi,1983.Publisher
University of Nairobi Paediatrics and child health