Study of the clinical and haematological pictures of sickle cell anaemia in Saudi Arabia

Fifty children with sickle cell anaemia with ages ranging from 8 months to 13 years were chosen for this study. Their results were compared with those of 22 children with sickle cell trait with a comparable age [2 months to 13 years] as well as 10 normal controls of the same age group. Vaso- occclusive crises were the main presenting symptom recorded in 74% of patients, anaemia in 66%, splenomegaly in 32% and hepatomegaly in only 8% of cases. G6PD was deficient in 34% of patients with sickle cell disease as well as in 57% of patients with the trait. A significant decrease in Hb level with significant increase in both HbF and reticulocytic count were detected