Influence of sickle hemoglobinopahties on growth & development

Sickle cell anemia patients have acute and chronic vaso-oclusion which may lead to poor nutritional status, lower hematocreit, more marrow, cardiovascular compensation and combinations of these factors affect growth which is consistent with constitutional delay. Sickle cell syndrome has considerable effect over development of an individual there by affecting forensic age determination.The present project was undertaken to study the effect of sickle cell anemia on growth status of 120 (27 homozygous SS disease & 93 AS trait) children of sickle cell anemia & 122 normal school children. Age of subjects ranges from 5–20 yrs.

The anthropometric parameters used were height, sitting height, length of hand, length of foot, interacromial & intercristal diameter. All measurements were taken in centimeters. Instruments used were antropometer & spreading calipers, weight was measured in kilograms. Calculated values were tested for statistical significance. Sickle cell anemic patients appeared to be significantly shorter & weight was significantly reduced as compared to control. Length of hand & foot shows significantly lower value as compared to control, interacromial & intercristal diameter was significantly less as compared to control.

It can be concluded from present study that the growth of sickle cell anemic children is definitely affected by the disease process, children with sickle anemia are shorter, weigh less & have less transverse diameters. Therefore while examining a person for age assessment the forensic expert should address such issue and opinion should be furnished accordingly.