Iron status of children with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND

Dietary iron requirements are unclear in children with SS-type sickle cell disease.

METHODS

Iron status was assessed in 104 nontransfused African American children (aged 0.5 to 17.6 years) with sickle cell disease who receive no iron supplement. Dietary iron intake was not measured at the time of this study.

RESULTS

Serum ferritin was normal or high in all children. Other hematologic and biochemical indicators of iron deficiency were in the normal range in most children.

CONCLUSIONS

Unlike previous studies, this sample of children and adolescents did not show signs of iron deficiency.