Evaluation of Full Blood Count Parameters in Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia in Steady State at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, South West Nigeria

Sickle cell anaemia is characterised by chronic haemolysis and a distinctive haematological profile that informs clinical management and helps distinguish steady-state from acute crises. This study evaluated full blood count parameters in sickle cell anaemia patients in steady state at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, South West Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 confirmed HbSS patients in steady state and 60 HbAA controls. Five millilitres of venous blood collected into EDTA tubes were analysed on an automated haematology analyser for haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell indices, white blood cell count with differential, and platelet count. Patients were confirmed in steady state based on absence of pain crisis, infection, or transfusion within the preceding four weeks. Sickle cell anaemia patients had significantly lower mean haemoglobin at 7.9 g/dL and packed cell volume at 24.3% compared to controls. Elevated mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin were observed. Leucocytosis was present in 64.2% of patients, predominantly neutrophilic. Thrombocytosis was found in 51.7% of cases. Reticulocyte count was markedly elevated, reflecting compensatory erythropoiesis. The study provides a local reference baseline for haematological parameters in Nigerian sickle cell patients and recommends establishing disease-specific reference intervals at each institution to guide clinical decision-making. Keywords: full blood count, sickle cell anaemia, steady state, haemoglobin, Ekiti State