Systolic blood pressure of Nigerian children with sickle cell disease

Background: Blood pressure readings of adult Nigerians with sickle cell disease (SCD) are reported to be lower than that of the general population but similar studies in children are unavailable. Objectives: To determine the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of children with SCD and compare it with that of healthy controls. Also, to correlate the SBP of children with SCD with age, gender, height and weight. Methods: Children with SCD were recruited from the Paediatric Haematology Clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Data collected included bio-demographic details, social classification, height and weight measurements and present clinical status. SBP was measured using a Doppler (VASCUTRACK 120 ) and a mercury sphygmomanometer. Similar data were obtained from age and sex matched apparently healthy children. Results: One hundred and twenty three children with SCD and 62 apparently healthy controls were studied; 62% were females. The mean age of the children with SCD was 8.93±3.91years (range 1-17years) and was similar to the controls. SBP was similar in both groups of children (90.9±12.7 versus 92.2±15.2 mmHg; p=0.53) and increased with age. In 91 (74%) children with SCD the SBP was below the 50th centile for the general population. Multiple linear regressions involving sex, age, height and weight found no independent factor to be a significant predictor of the SBP in children with SCD. Conclusion: The SBP of children with SCD is similar to that of age and sex-matched controls. The sex, age, weight and height did not significantly predict SBP in multiple linear regression.