Prevalence and Risk Factors for Microalbuminuria in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in the King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives Studies have not addressed microalbuminuria in the sickle cell disease (SCD) pediatric population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and to identify associated risk factors in children with SCD in the King Abdulaziz University Hospital.Results Overall, 42.5% of the patients enrolled were Saudi Arabian and 51% were boys. Patients' mean age was 12.4 years, and the highest percentage (40%) was in the age group of 15-18 years.The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 9.6%, and hematuria was present in 8% of cases. The percentage of patients with hematuria in the microalbuminuria group (22.6%) was significantly higher than that in the non-microalbuminuria group (6.5%) (P=.007). The percentage of patients with acute chest syndrome was higher in the microalbuminuria group (26%) than in the non-microalbuminuria group (8%) (P=0.005). The percentage of patients with gallbladder stones was higher in the microalbuminuria group (13%) than in the non-microalbuminuria group (2.4%) (P=.014). The mean number of blood transfusions was higher in the non-microalbuminuria group than in the microalbuminuria group (P=.002). Sickle cell nephropathy manifests as microalbuminuria, begins in the early ages of life, occurs in all types of SCD, and is associated with disease severity.