Hematological profile of children with sickle cell Disease in special reference to body iron stores

Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder commonly seen in rural population of western and central India. Being an important cause of hemolytic anemia, repeated blood transfusions are frequently required for the sickle cell anemia cases. Few studies have exclusively addressed hematological profile of sickle cell disease patients. This study was planned to study the hematological profile of children with special reference to body iron stores.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study carried out in department of pediatrics S.B.K.S MIRC. All the confirmed cases of children diagnosed with sickle cell disease or sickle β thalassemia were subjected to complete hematological analysis in special reference to body iron store by evaluation of serum iron, TIBC, % transferrin saturation and serum ferritin to find out total body iron store.

Results: About 110 patients were included in the study. In our study low MCV values were seen in 60.4% of patients, low MCH values in 84.9% of patients while MCHC was normal in 94.3% of patients. Serum iron levels showed normal values in majority of patients (94.3%) while transferrin saturation was low in 62.3% patients thus showing the discrepancy on correlating both values for diagnosis of iron deficiency.

Conclusion: Out of various parameters for diagnosis of iron status in SCD-SS patients, low MCV, MCH, Serum iron level and transferrin saturation more consistently associated with iron deficient state.