Scholars International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology (SIJAP)
Volume-2 | Issue-03 | 142-151
Original Research Article
An Anthropometric Comparison between Sickling and Non-Sickling Individuals of Tribal Population of Bastar Division, Chhattisgarh, India
Dr. Bithika Nel Kumar, Dr. Manik Chatterjee
Published : March 30, 2019
Abstract
Background: Hemoglobinopathies including Thalassemia with an estimated 10,000 live births each year and Sickle cell
disease (SCD) with an estimated 5,200 live births each year, are a major public health problem in India specially in
scheduled tribes, who have a high prevalence of socio-economic disadvantage and are frequently medically underserved
[1]. In Bastar, the land of tribes as about 70% of population comprises of tribals, which is 26.76% of the total tribal
population of Chhattisgarh [2]. Hence this work was an attempt to compare anthropometrically between Sickling and
Non-Sickling individuals of tribal population of Bastar Division, Chhattisgarh. Aims & Objectives: To compare
anthropometrically between sickling and non-sickling individuals of tribal population of Bastar division, Chhattisgarh.
Material and methods: An observational case-control study of 138 sickle cell disease patients with electrophoresis/sickle
solubility test positive, aged 5yrs to 30yrs and 138 sickle solubility negative age and sex matched controls was done.
Anthropometrical parameters like height, weight, upper and lower limb lengths were statistically compared. Results: In
males, in the age group of 5-14yrs, the parameters that were statistically significant were of axial skeleton and limb
lengths. This suggests that it is the most vulnerable group. In the age group of 20-30yrs the parameters that were
statistically significant were hemoglobin concentration (p<0.0001), weight (p=0.004), maximum calf circumference
(p=0.02) and BMI (p=0.02). In females, statistically significant difference for hemoglobin concentration between the
cases and controls in all three age groups was seen i.e.,5-14yrs(p=0.05), 15-19yrs(0.001), 20-30yrs (p<0.0001) and in the
age group of 15-20yrs, t-test for weight between cases and controls in female group showed significant difference (p=
0.01). Conclusions: From the above results and low SES, it may be stated that the poor growth status of the cases may be
due to the SCD and poor socio-economic conditions.