Adherence to iron prophylactic therapy during pregnancy in an urban regional hospital in South Africa

Background: Iron and folic acid supplementation plays a major role in the prevention and control of iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy. Therefore, this study assesses adherence to prophylactic iron supplementation during the antenatal period in South Africa. Methods: An observational study was conducted in a regional hospital from January to December 2016. HIV-uninfected(n= 100) and HIV-infected (n= 100)] women were enrolled and subdivided into three groups: (a)≤34 weeks (n= 33), (b)34­36 weeks (n= 34) and (c)≥37 weeks (n= 33) gestational age respectively. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were coded and statistically analysed using SPSS software. Pill count and self-reported data from women (n= 24) at≤34 weeks and 34­36 weeks reflected < 50% adherence and 46% non-adherence, being higher in the HIV-infected women (75%). Nausea was the commonest side effect across all trimesters (79. 2%). Adherence (27.8%) and non-adherence (72.1%) to iron, folic acid and calcium supplementation were found in 88% of women. Conclusion: This study found that adherence to micronutrient supplementation is low in pregnancy, albeit higher in HIV-infected women receiving antenatal care at a regional hospital in Durban, South Africa

Reticulocyte Haemoglobin Content as a Diagnostic Tool for Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anaemia in Ill Infants and Children

Background. The diagnosis of iron deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) in ill children is complicated by the unreliability of serum ferritin (S-ferritin). The presence of a microcytic; hypochromic anaemia suggests IDA but is not specific. There is a need for a diagnostic test that will be accessible; cost-effective and accurate for the diagnosis of ID in ill children. Studies done in healthy children have reported that reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHr) is a reliable diagnostic test for ID; eliminating the need for S-ferritin determination.Objective. To evaluate the accuracy of CHr to diagnose ID and IDA in ill infants and children.Methods. A prospective; descriptive study was conducted. One hundred children; aged 6 months to 6 years; who were admitted to Pelonomi Regional Hospital; Bloemfontein; South Africa; during July 2012 and August 2012 were included. Results. The study group was divided into an iron-deficient group and an iron-sufficient group based on transferrin saturation (TfS). A statistically significant difference was found between mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH); serum transferrin and CHr in these two groups (p=0.0001). The sensitivity of a CHr level ?29 pg to detect ID was 86; and the specificity was 50. Conclusion. CHr is an accurate diagnostic test for ID; and for IDA in combination with a low haemoglobin level; in ill infants and children

The Effect of Cold and Haemorrhagic Stress on Reticulocytes in Male Albino Wistar Rats

Background: In this study; the effect of cold and haemorrhagic stressors in male albino Wistar rats will be investigated. Methods: Cold stress was induced by placing the animals in thermostatic chamber containing ice cold water (0-10oC) and well aerated. Rats were allowed to stay for 5; 10; 15 and 20 minutes before they were bled from the tail vein at 2; 4; 6; 8 and 24 hours for reticulocyte counts. For the haemorrhagic stress; 30of blood was withdrawn from the vein after which reticulocytes were counted at 2; 4; 6; 8 and 24 hours. Results: Cold and haemorrhagic stress caused increased reticulocyte counts in male albino Wistar rats. The controls were not subjected to any condition. In cold stress; the maximum percentage reticulocyte count was (at zero hour) 6.21 + 0.21while the control was 1.02 + 0.12. In the case of the haemorrhagic stressor; the percentage reticulocyte was seen to peak at the 6th hour (6.19 + 0.12) and subsequently decrease to 2.59 + 0.02. The probable causes of this rise in reticulocytes are discussed. Conclusion: In cold and haemorrhagic stress; reticulocyte count peaked at 2 and 6 hours respectively; depicting when maximum erythropoietic activity was reached in blood forming organs

Haematological indices of Nigerians with sickle cell anaemia

Sickle cell anaemia patients in steady state have haematological values different from the normal population. Sickle cell patients are in a steady state when they are not in crisis and have no bacterial infection. The haemoglobin level is low and reticulocyte count high. There is also peripheral leucotosis and thrombocytosis

Valeurs reticulocytaires dans une population pediatrique a Abidjan

Cette etude rapporte les valeurs reticulocytaires (0;1 - 1 pour cent; soit 4220 - 49.900/mm3) chez 54 enfants de 3 a 14 ans dont 34 garcons et 20 filles; tous scolaries; en bonne sante apparente et vivant a Abidjan. Ces valeurs refletent une hypo-activite medullaire qui pourrait etre rattachee au status alimentaire precaire des enfants des pays en voie de developpement