Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a chronic sickling disease
characterized by clinical events called crisis1
. These
clinical events are modified by factors such as hydration,
de-oxygenation, temperature, pH, viscosity, levels of
haemoglobin F, and co-existing haemoglobinopathies such
as thalassemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
deficiency2
.
Individuals with SCA are at risk of developing renal disease
due to chronic sickling underlying the disease and resulting
in hemolysis-induced renal injury3
. Chronic kidney disease
(CKD) is a recognized complication of SCA associated
with risk factors such as hypertension, low haemoglobin
concentration, hemolysis, prior vaso-oclusive crisis, BS gene
haplotype4-9. Renal involvement contributes substantially to
reduced life expectancy in patients with SCA, accounting for
16-18% mortality10. 