Blood pressure, hematologic and erythrocyte fragility changes in children suffering from sickle cell anemia following ascorbic acid supplementation

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Pediatric Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Sickle cell anemia is a severe genetic blood disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin.
• Complications include vaso-occlusion, anemia, and increased risk of infections.
• Current treatments are limited and can have significant side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation in pediatric sickle cell anemia.
• To assess the impact of ascorbic acid on hematological parameters and blood pressure in affected children.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 15 children (ages 4-11) with sickle cell anemia received 100 mg/day of ascorbic acid for 6 weeks.
• Key parameters measured included blood pressure, packed cell volume, irreversibly sickled cells, fetal hemoglobin, hemoglobin concentration, and erythrocyte osmotic fragility.

Main Results:

• Ascorbic acid supplementation led to significant reductions in systolic (10.9 mmHg), diastolic (7.3 mmHg), and mean arterial pressure (9.4 mmHg).
• Significant increases were observed in packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, and percent fetal hemoglobin.
• A significant decrease in percent irreversibly sickled cells was noted, alongside improved erythrocyte resistance to lysis.

Conclusions:

• Ascorbic acid supplementation demonstrates a significant beneficial effect in managing sickle cell anemia in children.
• The findings suggest vitamin C can improve hematological parameters and reduce cardiovascular risk factors in this population.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and establish optimal dosing and long-term efficacy.