European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hemoglobinopathy with varied manifestations from an asymptomatic state to crisis and may be fatal. Hypercoagulable state in sickle cell diseaseis not uncommon but there is a paucity of data on Indian patients, especially in the Pediatric age group.   Aims and Objectives: To determine the coagulation parameters (PT, APTT), platelet count and MPV of children (<18 years) with SCD and to compare these parameters with controls(children with normal hemoglobin pattern). Material and Methods: This was a hospital based prospective observational study. 62 cases of homozygous sickle cell anemia (HbSS), 43 cases of sickle cell trait (HbAS) were included. 84 children with normal hemoglobin pattern (HbAA) of the age group 0-18 years were taken to serve as control in the study. Blood samples of all participants were collected in EDTA and Citrate vials. Hemoglobin, Platelet count, MPV, PT, and aPTT values were obtained. Result: The mean hemoglobin level of patients with HbSS was significantly lower as compared to HbAS and controls. (P<0.001) The mean value of PT, APTT, Platelet count, and MPV in HbSS cases was significantly higher as compared to HbAS and controls (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between hemoglobin PT, aPTT, platelet count, and MPV inHbAS and controls (P >0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between Hb levels and PT (r, -0.706;P,<0.0001), APTT (r,-0.467; P,0.0001), platelet count (r,-0.453; P, 0.0002)and MPV (r,-0.6952;P,<0.0001)for patients of HbSS.  Conclusion:Children with SCD have prolonged coagulation profile and marked variation in platelet count which may increase the risk of thrombosis and bleeding.So it needs to be investigated further for better patient management.