Evaluation of Factor Viii and Factor IX Activity among Primary School Children in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
I. L. Okoroiwu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu
*
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Lilian Nneka Egbuobi
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Adaobi Maryann Ibekwe
Department of Nursing Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
C. C. N. Vincent
Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
Bright Chukwuebuka Unaeze
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Calista Ndidi Adike
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Udunma Olive Chijioke
Department of Health Administration and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria
Chukwuma J. Okafor
Department of Pathology and Biochemistry, State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Ayomide Olusiji Soremi
Ivano Frankivsk National Medical University, Ukraine
Ejike Felix Chukwurah
Department of Haematology and Immunology, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Bart I. Ifionu
Department of Chemical Pathology and Immunology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, Nigeria
Confidence Ogechi Anyanwu
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Madonna University, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The values of factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) were evaluated among some primary school children in Owerri zone Imo State. The aim was to assess deficiency state or reduction in activity among these children. A total of two hundred and ten (210) venous blood samples were collected from primary school pupils whose parents consented to, and whose answers to the distributed questionnaires suggested symptoms of haemophilia. The samples were collected from pupils between the ages of five and thirteen years, and from different primary schools to represent different areas of Owerri (Works Layout Area, Nekede Area, Trans Egbu Area, and Akwukuma Area). Samples were preserved using trisodium citrate anticoagulant and transported to the haematology unit of the Federal Medical Centre Owerri within 3 hours for analysis which was done using Rayto semi auto coagulation analyzer RT 2204C with its normal ranges for factor VIII and IX activities as (50% - 200% and 70% - 200%) respectively. Out of the 210 samples collected, 16(7.6%) have <50% of factor VIII activity and 14(6.7%) have <70% of factor IX activity. Akwakuma area produced highest occurrence of factor VIII deficiency (14.8%, 8 pupils) while Works Layout and Trans Egbu Areas produced the least incidence (3.8%, 2 pupils) each. Factor IX deficiency was most prevalent at Trans Egbu Area 6(11.5%) and least at Works Layout 0(0.0%). Six children between the ages of 5 and 7 years had the highest incidence of FVIII deficiency (23.1%), while eight pupils between the ages of 11-13 years showed the highest incidence of FIX deficiency. Eight Females were found to have the highest incidence of both FVIII and FIX deficiencies (8.2% for both defects ), while the males presented a lower incidence of the same defects (7.1%, 8 pupils and 5.4%, 6 pupils respectively). The mean levels of FVIII and FIX in all the pupils evaluated are 78.61 and 89.98 respectively while the standard deviation of the results from the mean are 2.584 and 1.473 for factor VIII and IX respectively. These data show that haemophilia A and B exist in Owerri and considering the danger it portends to lives of the citizenry, Government should provide facilities in our hospitals to take care of the affected pupils to ensure a healthy society.
Keywords: Factor viii, factor ix, primary school, children