Iron deficiency in sickle cell anaemia in Nigerian children.

The iron status in children with sickle cell anaemia has been studied in 45 patients. The mean haemoglobin level was 7.4 g/dl (s.d. 1.7) and the white cell count more than 11 X 10(9)/l in 35 (78%). Bone marrow examination showed depletion of iron stores of 21 (47%). The total iron binding capacity was elevated in most of the children and serum iron was below the normal mean level for age in 14 (31%) children. The possible causes of iron deficiency in some of these children include dietary deficiency, infections, malabsorption, blood loss through hookworm infestation and growth spurt. In the management of a child with sickle cell disease, iron administration is not recommended unless there is evidence of coexisting iron deficiency.