Body Composition and Nutritional Status in Children with Sickle Cell Disease Compared with Children with Normal Hemoglobin Genotype in Azare Metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with altered body composition and nutritional deficits. This study compared body composition and nutritional status between children with SCD and children with normal haemoglobin genotype in Azare, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 110 children aged 4–14 years (60 with SCD, 50 with normal haemoglobin genotype) in Azare metropolis. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference [MUAC], chest circumference [CC], occipitofrontal circumference [OFC]) were obtained. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Independent sample t-test and Pearson's correlation were used; p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean height was significantly higher in children with normal hemoglobin genotype (1.26 ± 0.16 m) compared to children with SCD (1.17 ± 0.24 m) (p = 0.021). Weight was higher in the children with normal hemoglobin genotype (26.06 ± 10.80 kg) than children with SCD (24.02 ± 6.92 kg), which was statistically significant (p = 0.002. CC was significantly higher in SCD children (60.81 ± 7.96 cm) than controls (59.00 ± 5.70 cm) (p = 0.037). MUAC and OFC showed no significant differences between groups. Strong positive correlations were observed between all anthropometric variables in normal children (r = 0.601–0.929, p < 0.001). In SCD children, height correlated with weight (r = 0.652, p < 0.001) and CC (r = 0.815, p < 0.001), but MUAC showed weaker correlations. Conclusion: Children with SCD in Azare showed significant differences in Weight, height and chest circumference compared to the children with normal haemoglobin genotype, suggesting altered growth patterns. Regular anthropometric monitoring is essential for nutritional intervention in this population.