Acute chest syndrome in sickle cell anaemia: higher serum levels of interleukin-8 and highly sensitive C-reactive proteins are associated with impaired lung function.

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with multiple organ manifestations including acute and long-term pulmonary dysfunction.

Aims/objectives: To assess lung function of children with SCA and determine the possible role of acute chest syndrome (ACS), serum inflammatory cytokines, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), leucocytes and 25-hydroxyvitamin D on the development of impaired lung function.

Subjects And Methods: Lung function of 76 children with SCA was determined by spirometer and classified into normal or impaired.

Relationship between foetal haemoglobin and haematological indices in children with sickle cell anaemia from South Western Nigeria.

Background: Foetal haemoglobin (HbF, α2γ2) retards polymerisation of haemoglobin (Hb) in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). In Nigeria, studies on the levels of HbF and its relationship with haematological indices are scanty. This study evaluated HbF concentrations of children with SCA from Southwestern Nigeria and correlated the levels with various haematological indices.

Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma β-endorphin levels in children with cerebral malaria.

Objectives: Cerebral malaria (CM) is the most lethal form of malaria, yet its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Cytoadherence, sequestration, alterations in cytokine expression, inflammation, and microvascular obstruction are all hypothesized to be important in the aetio-pathogenesis of coma which characterizes cerebral malaria and the death which sometimes result. Beta (β)-endorphin has been postulated to be involved in the pathogenetic processes of inflammation and cytokine expression, although the exact role is unknown.

Undernutrition and anaemia among HAART-naïve HIV infected children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: a case-controlled, hospital based study.

Introduction: Case control studies that assess the burden and factors associated with undernutrition and anaemia among HAART naïve HIV infected children in Nigeria is very sparse. This will help to formulate nutritional programs among these children.

Methods: Seventy HAART naive HIV infected children aged 18 months and above were as well as seventy age and sex matched HIV negative children were recruited from August 2007 to January 2009 at Paediatric Clinic of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.