Abstract:
Background. Urogenital schistosomiasis is a widely contracted parasitic helminth infection often associated with haematological
abnormalities. Aim. We investigated the relationship between the haematological profile and the intensity of schistosomiasis
among children in the Yeji district. Materials and Methods. A total of 100 participants comprising 50 Schistosoma haematobium
(S. haematobium) infected and 50 noninfected controls aged 6โ17 years matched for age and sex were recruited into the study.
Blood and urine samples were collected and haematological profile and presence of S. haematobium eggs were assessed using
standard protocols. Results. Haemoglobin (HGB) (𝑃 < 0.0001), haematocrit (HCT) (𝑃 < 0.0001), mean cell volume (MCV)
(𝑃 = 0.0053), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) (𝑃 < 0.0001), and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (𝑃 = 0.005)
levels were reduced in cases compared to controls. Mixed cell percentage (MXD) (𝑃 = 0.018) and red blood cell distribution width
(RDW-CV) (𝑃 = 0.012) were significantly elevated among cases as compared to controls. Haematuria was a clinical characteristic
of heavy infection. Conclusion. S. haematobium infection creates an imbalance in the haematological profile. We found low HGB,
HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels coupled with increased % MXD count and RDW-CV. Also, low MCV, MCH, and MCHC and
high % MXD count are independently associated with S. haematobium infection among our study participants.
