Low-grade haemolysis and assessment of iron status during the steady state in G6PD-deficient subjects.

We evaluated the iron status of 50 Sicilian patients with G6PD deficiency under steady-state conditions and compared our results with those for 50 control patients. We studied haemolysis and iron indices to evaluate the iron balance. These patients could be considered to be at risk of iron overload as a result of increased bone marrow activity. Reticulocytosis and macrocytosis with reduced levels of haptoglobin were found in the G6PD-deficient subjects, both of which are evidence of a moderate haemolysis. Iron status within the normal range, without iron overload or iron deficiency, was found.