Original Research Article
Year: 2020 | Month: July-September | Volume: 5 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 501-507
Serum Cytokine and Haematological Profiles of Anaemic Children Aged 6 to 60 Months Old in Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
Ezinne Janefrances Nwankwo1, Augusta U Eneh2, Anthonia A Okerengwo3
1Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Biotechnology Development Agency, Lugbe, Abuja, Nigeria
2Paediatrics and Child Health Department, University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria
3Department of Haematology, Blood Transfusion and Immunology, University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Ezinne Janefrances Nwankwo
ABSTRACT
Background: Childhood anaemia is a serious paediatric health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. The accompanying high mortality rates in this region may be attributed to high prevalence of poverty, infections, malnutrition and poor healthcare facilities. Cytokines are thought to influence the development of anaemia in various pathologic conditions through mechanisms such as dsyerythropoiesis and increased lysis of red blood cells.
Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between serum levels of some cytokines viz. IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 and anaemic parameters in children aged 6 to 60 months in University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a case-control study of 36 anaemic subjects and 36 non-anaemic controls. Full blood counts, levels of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17 were compared between the two groups of children.
Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups (anaemic and controls) in the distribution of various haematological parameters (haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit, MCV, MCHC, MCH, reticulocyte count), (P < 0.05). IL-6 level was significantly higher in anaemic children than in controls (P = 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the IL-10 and IL-17 levels between the groups. Significant correlations were observed between IL-6 and Hb (r = -0.34, P = 0.041). No correlation was found between IL-10, IL-17 and Hb.
Conclusion: These results suggest that IL-6 rather than IL-10 and IL-17 might have played a role in inducing the anaemia and could be a potential marker for therapeutic monitoring in anaemia.
Keywords: Anaemia, Cytokines, Haemoglobin, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10, Interleukin-17