Background: Sickle cell disease is the commonest genetic disorder of haemoglobin due to inheritance of mutant haemo- globin genes from both parents. The disorder is characterized by chronic haemolysis which results in increased availability of iron from red blood cell destructions.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of iron overload among non-chronically blood transfused preschool children with sickle cell anaemia.
Methods: Serum ferritin was assayed and transferrin saturation derived in 97 steady state sickle cell anaemia children. Ele- vated iron stores were defined as serum ferritin level >300ng/ml, and transferrin saturation >45%. .
Results: Serum ferritin level was greater than 300 mg/ml in 14 (14.4%) subjects and transferrin saturation >45% in six (6.2%) subjects with sickle cell anaemia. The prevalence of iron overload was 20.6%. The prevalence of iron overload was higher among subjects in older age group, female, with history of blood transfusion, and with single blood transfusion ses- sion.
Conclusion: Iron overload is prevalent in older children; the number of blood transfusion sessions notwithstanding. Regu- lar assessment of serum ferritin is recommended.
Keywords: Sickle cell anemia; iron overload; serum ferritin; transferrin saturation; elevated iron.
Human immunodeficiency virus in patients with sickle cell anaemia in Jos: The role of blood transfusion
