Hepatic function tests in children with sickle cell anaemia during vaso occlusive crisis.

Abstract

There is evidence in the literature suggesting that biochemical and morphological hepatic changes occur in sickle cell anaemia patients.1'7 It is however, uncertain whether or not these changes which occur during crisis are reversible. Earlier studies have demonstrated an impairment of liver functional integrity with a rise in serum transaminases, but the extent of the hepatic injury has not been documented.4,5 This study was conducted to assess the hepatic functional derangement that occurs during vaso-occlusive crisis using biochemical techniques, to document the extent of derangement, and whether or not there was recovery.