Abstract

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are prone to low level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25 OHD) more than normal healthy children. SCA is common in Sudan but the status of vitamin D is not known in Sudanese children with SCA.We aimed to determine the prevalence rate of low level of vitamin D in this population and its relation to painful crisis, bone fracture, osteomyelitis and hemoglobin level and biochemical data. A prospective cross-sectional hospital based study was carried on children with SCA age 6 months to 18 years who met the recruitment criteria as study group and sex and age matched healthy children as a control group. There were 64 children in the study group and 21 in the control group. Low 25 OHD, low mean serum calcium, hypocalcaemia and high serum alkaline phosphatase were significantly prevalent in the study group (P.0001, P.0001, P.0001, P.003) respectively. Painful crisis, bone fracture, osteomyelitis and anemia were not increased in these patients.