Pulmonary Function Test Abnormalities in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Odisha, India.

BACKGROUND

This cross-sectional study analyzed the pulmonary function in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), assessing the pulmonary abnormalities and comparing these with a control group of children with other forms of anemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted from July 2022 to June 2024 at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, and included 126 children (63 with SCD, 63 with other forms of anemia) aged between six to 18 years. Anthropometric data, clinical history, and laboratory parameters were collected, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed using spirometry to evaluate forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).

RESULTS

Children with SCD had lower height and weight than those in the control group, with height differences reaching statistical significance. Hemoglobin levels were higher in SCD cases than those in the control group, despite both groups exhibiting anemia. The PFTs revealed lower mean FVC and FEV1 in SCD patients, with a predominant restrictive pattern observed in 40 children with SCD (63.4%) compared to 25 children (39.6%) in controls. Only 17 children with SCD (29.6%) showed normal PFT results. Among risk factors, older age, history of vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, and blood transfusions were linked to restrictive abnormalities, though not statistically significant. Children on hydroxyurea showed a trend toward restrictive PFT patterns.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the high prevalence of restrictive lung function abnormalities in children with SCD, highlighting the importance of regular pulmonary monitoring and early intervention to address pulmonary complications. Further research is warranted to explore the impact of hydroxyurea and the cumulative effect of vaso-occlusive events on lung function in SCD.