Serum Vitamin A levels in children with sickle cell anemia: relationship with pulmonary function indices.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A is involved in the proliferation and maintenance of the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. Since maintenance of the integrity of the respiratory epithelium is important for pulmonary functions, vitamin A may contribute to the reduced pulmonary functions noted in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). This study aims to relate serum vitamin A levels with pulmonary function indices in children with SCA. METHODS: This cross-sectional analytical study recruited 70 children with SCA aged 6–17 years using systematic random sampling technique. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu while informed consent and assent were appropriately obtained. Serum vitamin A levels were determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method while lung function test (LFT) was carried out using the spirometer. The relationship between numerical variables was tested with Pearson’s correlation coefficient whereas Chi square was used to test for association between differences in proportions. Level of statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin A levels of the children was 20.22 ± 4.51mcg/dl (normal is 25-70mcg/dl). The FEV1 and FVC mean percentage predictive values were 68.7 ± 16.9% and 69.9 ± 17.2% respectively. Serum vitamin A had a significant positive linear relationship with FEV1 and FVC (r = 0.352, p = 0.003; r = 0.388, p = 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Positive relationship exists between serum vitamin A and pulmonary function in children with SCA. This may open the discussion for the consideration of vitamin A supplement as part of routine drugs in SCA.