Bloodless management of significantly elevated transcranial Doppler velocity value in a Jehovah's witness child with sickle cell disease: A tertiary centre experience-A case report.

BACKGROUND: Effective management of complications in sickle cell disease (SCD), such as stroke prevention, often necessitates the use of blood transfusions. However, individuals who adhere to the religious tenets of Jehovah's Witnesses strictly abstain from accepting blood transfusions, thereby presenting a formidable challenge in clinical decision-making. CASE REPORT: This is a case of a 3 year old child Jehovah's Witness who was found to have significantly elevated transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocity values between 193 and 203 cm/s, following routine screening. This was an otherwise clinically stable child, whose mother was diligently ensuring he had adequate medical care. Ideally, a prophylactic exchange blood transfusion program would have been commenced immediately but was not done due to due to the lack of consent from the caregiver. Patient was initially on hydroxyurea at 15 mg/kg and self medicating on omega 3 supplements and astymin syrup. Further elevation of TCD velocity upto 242 cm/s after a repeat testing, necessitated graduated increase of the dosage of hydroxyurea to 35 mg/kg to optimize its therapeutic effect, and discontinuation of omega 3 fatty acids and replacement of astymin with folic acid, vitamin C and B complex. Following these adjustments, the TCD dropped to below 190 cm/s reducing the risk of stroke in the child. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates the successful implementation of a bloodless management strategy for stroke prevention in a Jehovah's Witness child with SCD. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing valuable insights and practical guidance for healthcare providers facing similar ethical and medical dilemmas.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte, Platelet-Neutrophil, and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratios as Indicators of Sickle Cell Anaemia Severity.

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) imposes a substantial healthcare burden, affecting millions of people worldwide. Understanding the determinants influencing SCA severity is crucial for enhanced disease management and optimized patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet-Neutrophil Ratio (PNR), Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), and SCA severity. Methods: A cohort of 45 children diagnosed with SCA and undergoing treatment at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, was included in this study. Demographic and clinical data, along with laboratory measurements of the aforementioned ratios, were collected. The severity of SCA was assessed using numerical scoring. Results: The analysis revealed that PNR and PLR emerged as significant predictors of SCA severity, irrespective of the level of adiposity. In contrast, NLR demonstrated no predictive value in relation to SCA severity. Conclusion: The findings challenge the conventional notion that neutrophils alone play a central role in the pathogenesis of sickle cell crises. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of the disease and provide insights into possible alternative mechanisms underlying SCA severity. Further research is warranted to explore the intricate interplay between platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and other biological factors within the context of SCA. Ultimately, this knowledge may pave the way for targeted interventions and improved management strategies for individuals living with SCA.

Prevalence of venous thromboembolism and its associations in a large racially homogenous population of sickle cell disease patients.

To determine the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among adult sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in Nigeria. METHODS: This was a multicentre retrospective study in which the medical records of adult SCD patients were reviewed. Information on demographics, steady-state haemogram, clinical phenotypes, duration of follow-up, history of VTE including risk factors and management was collected. RESULTS: Of the 509 SCD patients with a median (IQR) duration of follow-up of 2 years, 10 (2.0%) had VTE (9 DVT and 1 PE). Their median (IQR) age was 27 (22.8-30.3) years. Identifiable risk factors for VTE included positive family history (2, 20%) surgery, splenectomy, paraplegia and cancer (1, 10% each). No risk factor was identifiable in four persons. VTE had no significant association with age and gender. VTE was significantly associated with the following events: acute chest syndrome [p = .002, odds ratio (OR) 8, 95% CI 2.2-28.9], osteonecrosis [p = .012, OR 5.24, 95% CI, 1.45-18.91] and vaso-occlusive crisis [p = .035]. Also significantly associated with VTE were pulmonary hypertension [p = .001, OR 23.3, 95%CI 5.18-105.06] and stroke [p = .032, OR 9.35, 95%CI 0.87-53.25]. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VTE among SCD patients in Nigeria is low. It is significantly associated with vaso-occlusive crisis, pulmonary hypertension and stroke.

The Perception of People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome toward Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: The prevention and control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection depend on the prevention of new infections as well as treating currently infected individuals. Adequate knowledge of HIV infection among person living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) may be an important tool in reducing spread of the virus. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate knowledge and attitude of PLWHA on HIV infection. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital. Knowledge of infection, spread, control, and effect was sought from HIV-positive respondents using a structured questionnaire. Information about their attitude and beliefs was also obtained. Collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows, Version 21.0. RESULTS: A total of 70 HIV-positive patients, including 23 (32.9%) males and 47 (67.1%) females with a mean age of 37.7 years were participated. The overall knowledge on HIV transmission, clinical effects, complications, and controls was good in 15.7%, average in 72.9%, and poor in 11.4%. Knowledge of means of transmission was appropriate in majority of them. Majority of 66 (94.3%) patients showed a positive attitude to life. CONCLUSION: Most of the HIV-positive patients had average knowledge on HIV, and majority had a positive attitude to life.

Impact of parity and gestational age of mothers with hypertension on birth weight, red blood cells and mode of delivery of their babies.

BACKGROUND: Maternal factors are determinants of birth outcome which includes birth weight, haematological indices and mode of delivery of their babies. OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of parity and gestational age of hypertensive mothers on some neonatal variables. METHODS: A hospital based cross-sectional study of measurement of neonatal variables (birth weight, red blood cells and mode of delivery) among hypertensive mothers and their controls was conducted over a period of six months. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS), version 20. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in means between the neonates of the hypertensive group and non-hypertensive group for maternal age (t =1.61, p = 0.002), baby weight (t =2.87, p < 0.001), haemoglobin (Hb) (t =4.65, p = 0.010) and packed cell volume (PCV) (t =4.75, p = 0.009), but none for gravidity (t =1.95, p = 0.927)For all subjects, there was poor correlation between gestational age and variables; birth weight, haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), nucleated red blood cell (nRBC) and parity. Likewise, parity poorly correlated with variables; age, birth weight, Hb, PCV, and nRBC. There was a statistically significant association between mode of delivery and hypertension (χ2 =53.082, p <0.001) but none with having a family history of hypertension (χ2 =1.13, p = 0.287). CONCLUSION: Parity and gestational age of mothers with hypertension have no impact on birth weight and red cells when compared with their non-hypertensive counterparts. However, mothers of babies delivered by elective and emergency caesarean section were about 2-3 times more likely to be hypertensive than those that delivered through spontaneous vertex delivery.