Plasma Lactate Dehydrogenase Level as Indicator of Severe Homozygous Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Background: Homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD)(SS), also called sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common SCD in Nigeria. Studies done in
the developed world showed that serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels correlated positively and significantly with clinical severity of the disease.
This study attempts to provide information on the relationship between the plasma LDH level and the clinical severity of SCA in Nigerian children.
Objective: The objective of this work was to assess plasma LDH level in Nigerian SCA children, aged 5–15years, as a clinical indicator of disease severity.
Methods: Plasma LDH level was measured quantitatively using Randox LDH reagent kit. A semi‑quantitative assessment of clinical severity
of SCA was carried out on all the SCA subjects using the Bienzle et al. assessment profile modified for this study. Subjects were classified
as having mild, moderate, or severe disease based on their clinical severity score. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) version 21 software.
Results: Eighty SCA children, 40 in steady state and 40 in hemolytic (with or without vaso‑occlusive) crises were studied. Mean plasma
LDH level was significantly higher in SCA subjects in crises than for those in steady state (P = 0.0284). Only steady state plasma LDH level
correlated positively and significantly with clinical severity score (P = 0.0151).
Conclusion: Plasma LDH appears to be a reliable indicator of SCA disease severity in the steady state in Nigerian children.