Browsing by Author "Osei Bonsu, Tracy"

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    Nutritional Assessment of Children with Sickle Cell Diseases at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
    (June, 2017) Osei Bonsu, Tracy
    Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic haemolytic disease mostly associated with impaired growth, delayed maturation and poor nutrition status. It is also one of the major contributing factors for childhood mortality. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of children with sickle cell diseases. This was done using dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers. A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 children with sickle cell diseases aged 3- 12 years at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Multiple 24-hr dietary recall and food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary intake. Serum protein, albumin and ferritin, as well as full blood count were used to assess biochemical status. Weight, height and Mid-Upper-Arm-Circumference were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), weight-for-age (percentile), height-for-age (percentile), BMI-for-age (percentile) and MUAC-for-age (percentile). The mean intake of iron was 5.9±3.0 mg/d, zinc was 5.1±3.0 mg/d, and vitamin A was 107 ± 112.4 μg/d, while vitamin E was 4.2±2.9 mg/d for the children with SCD. Energy consumed were 852 ± 342.3 kcal while proteins were 25.0 ± 10.7 g/d. Low BMI-for-age, MUAC-for-age, weight-for-age and height-for-age were observed in 40%, 37%, 22%, and 69% of the children, respectively. There was significant association (p = 0.00, r = 0.64) between vitamin B12 and the Red Blood Cell count. The study observed inadequate nutritional intake of the children who were assessed.