D-Dimer level in sudanese children with sickle cell anaemia

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is an inherited blood disorder that is characterized by chronic haemolysis and episodes of acute clinical complication. SCA is associated with hypercoagulable state with increased thrombin generation and elevated D-Dimer level which is reported as a marker for SCA related complication. This study aimed to determine the D-Dimer level in Sudanese children with SCA in a steady state and to correlate it with the haematological parameter. Following informed consent, one hundred and one subjects; fourty one children with SCA in steady state, and age and sex matched sixty healthy subjects as controls were enrolled. Blood count was performed by automated cell counter (Sysmex KX-21N). D-dimer was measured using i-CHROMATM. Mean D-Dimer level was significantly higher among SCA cases when compared with the controls (p value 0.000). Mean TWBC count and mean platelets count were significantly higher in the SCA patients than in controls (p value 0.000 and 0.005 respectively). There was no significant correlation between D-Dimer level and all haematological parameters. In conclusion, the study confirms the hypercoagulable state in SCA. The study highlights haematological reference values for Sudanese patients with SCA.