……………. ……………. ……………. ……………. ……………. …………… ………….. ………………Ongoing Project: Role of Vitamin D3 in
the Management of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
Project Updates
As of September 15th, 2023, more than 170 persons have come for final follow-up.
As of August 18, 2023, more than 150 persons have come for final follow-up.
On July 28, 2023, over 250 have come for the first follow-up and over 200 have come for their second follow-up. We have started the final follow-up and over 90 people have come for their last follow-up, According to Solomon Adomi, Head of Research.
“On July 14, 2023, over 250 people have come for their first follow-up, and over 200 have come for their second. We’ve begun the last follow-up, and over 90 folks have come for theirs.” According to Solomon Adomi, Head of Research.
“On July 7, 2023, over 250 people have come for their first follow-up, and over 200 have come for their second. We’ve begun the last follow-up, and over 70 folks have come for theirs.” According to Solomon Adomi, Head of Research.
“On July 1, 2023, over 250 have come for the first follow-up and over 200 have come for their second follow-up. We have started the final follow-up and over 60 people have come for their final follow-up.” according to Solomon Adomi, Head of Research.
On June 1, 2023, the last follow-up begun for some participants at all three centres (Massey Children’s Hospital, Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, and Isolo General Hospital).
On May 5, 2023, Solomon Adomi, added that: “We are currently in the third round of follow-up for certain participants and rounding up a second follow-up for the remaining participants. So far, over 250 participants have come for the second follow-up and over 100 participants have come for the third follow-up.”
March 1, 2023, Solomon Adomi, Head of Research at BBF, gave a status report about the ongoing research: “We are at the second stage of follow-up for some participants. Over 150 participants have come for the first follow-up.”
SCD RESEARCH APPROVAL IN LAGOS STATE HOSPITALS
Testimonial Reports
Massey Children’s Hospital
On September 18, 2023, Dr. Olanike Olutekunbi, Principal Investigator and Vitamin D Research Coordinator at Massey Children’s Hospital, discussed her thoughts on the project.
On August 18, 2023, Dr. Chinmeri Uzoamaka Achonu, Vitamin D Research Assistant at Massey Children’s Hospital, gave an encouraging comment regarding the project.
Isolo General Hospital
On September 12, 2023, Dr. Tolulope Olatunji, Vitamin D Research Coordinator at Isolo General Hospital, shares her observations regarding the project.
On August 29, 2023, Dr. Bassey Ante, Vitamin D Research Assistant at Isolo General Hospital, gave his observations of the project.
Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital
On September 9th, 2023, Dr. Olorunfemi Oluwaseun, Vitamin D Research Assistant at Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital, gave his observations regarding the project.
Treating sickle cell disease requires a lot of resources. Currently, the only treatments are gene therapy and bone marrow transplant, and these are out of reach to children in developing countries like Nigeria due to the dearth of resources and manpower in these countries to set up treatment centers.
Although there are routine medications (hydroxyurea, pain relievers, antibiotics, and antimalarials) available for some aspects of management, they are either not efficacious enough or have various possible side effects, and doctors in remote areas are thus limited in managing this disease.
Furthermore, people in remote areas (where there is little to no access to good healthcare and poor living standards) tend to have more crises and complications.
We are building on the existing knowledge of vitamin D3 to examine its effect in children with sickle cell disease, who typically have ischemia, immune deficiency, and reduced bone density.
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is generally known for its role in maintaining bones and teeth. The importance of this nutrient has been found over time to be more than that because vitamin D controls the expression of over 200 genes in the body, and nearly EVERY tissue in the body has a vitamin D receptor, including the immune system, skin, thyroid, stomach, colon, pancreas, and more. This has shown its importance in almost all systems of the body, including the immune system, nervous and endocrine systems, digestive system, cardiovascular system, integumentary system, and – as we all know – the skeletal system.
Individuals with SCD suffer global deficits in energy and nutrient intake, with increased catabolism that ultimately causes multiple macro‐ and micro‐nutritional deficiencies. Among the micronutrient deficiencies, vitamin D deficiency has been found to be common in people with SCD, regardless of age and season. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among individuals with SCD ranges from 33% to 100%.
Our Aim
We wish to explore the administration of vitamin D3 as a possible, safe, and cost-effective addition for the management of sickle cell disease in Nigeria and other African countries, using the patients of three hospitals – Massey Street Children’s Hospital, General Hospital in Ifako Ijaye, and General Hospital in Isolo, all in Lagos State, Nigeria – as a case study.
The budget for the research project is attached here…
Vitamin D3 Research, Lagos State
Solomon Adomi (Head of Research, Brain and Body Foundation) talks about BBF’s plans for Vitamin D research in Lagos State, and how it would be beneficial to individuals living with SCD.
Solomon Adomi (Head of Research, Brain and Body Foundation) takes us on a tour around Lagos State General Hospital, Ifako Ijaye, before meeting with Dr. Oluwabiyi.
Solomon Adomi (Head of Research, Brain and Body Foundation) narrates the work done so far with the Hospitals conducting the research. Also, he gives an account of his meeting with Dr. Olatunji.
Solomon Adomi (Head of Research, Brain and Body Foundation) alongside Dr. Oluwabiyi at the Lagos State General Hospital, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos, Nigeria
Images of the General Hospital, Ifako Ijaye, Lagos, Nigeria
Solomon Adomi (Head of Research, Brain and Body Foundation) alongside Dr. Olutekunbi and Dr. Achonu at the Massey Street Children Hospital, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Dr. Olutekunbi talks about the Vitamin D research
Images of the Massey Street Children Hospital
Images of General Hospital, Isolo, Lagos State, Nigeria
Solomon Adomi (Head of Research, Brain and Body Foundation) along with officials at the Clina-Lancet Laboratory, Lagos, Nigeria.
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