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Relationship between Painful Crisis and Serum Zinc Level in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia
Edamisan Olusoji Temiye1, Edem Samuel Duke, Mbang Adeyemi Owolabi
1Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), P.M.B 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Insights
Children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) have lower serum zinc levels, especially during painful crises. This suggests increased zinc utilization during crises may contribute to deficiency in SCA patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is linked to zinc deficiency.
- Zinc supplementation shows potential in managing SCA clinical symptoms, including painful crises.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess serum zinc levels in children with SCA experiencing painful crises versus those in a steady state.
- To compare zinc levels in SCA patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Serum zinc levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 71 children with SCA (painful crisis and steady state) and 71 controls.
- Dietary zinc intake was qualitatively assessed.
- Hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were determined.
Main Results:
- Mean serum zinc concentrations in SCA patients were below international reference ranges.
- Controls exhibited significantly higher serum zinc than SCA patients (42.7 ± 13.6 vs. 32.3 ± 14.0 μg/dL).
- SCA patients in painful crisis had significantly lower serum zinc levels compared to steady-state SCA patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Serum zinc levels are low in children with SCA.
- Painful crises in SCA may increase zinc utilization, leading to lower serum zinc concentrations.
- Findings support a potential role for zinc in SCA management.
Abstract:
Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with zinc deficiency; zinc supplementation may ameliorate some of its clinical manifestations including the relief of painful crisis. Subjects and Methods. Serum zinc levels were determined in 71 children with SCA and painful crisis and in equal numbers in steady state. Seventy-one children with AA genotype acted as controls. Qualitative assessment of zinc content of 24-hour dietary recall and the last meal consumed before blood was drawn was taken. Serum zinc was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined using standard methods. Results. The mean serum zinc concentration in the study was less than international reference range. The controls had significantly higher serum zinc concentrations than the SCA group (42.7 ± 13.6 versus 32.3 ± 14.0 μg/dL, P < .000); this difference was due to the significantly lower values of serum zinc in SCA with painful crisis compared with the remaining two groups F = 30.9, P<.000. There was a positive correlation between serum zinc and haemoglobin concentration only in the control group (r = 0.4; P = .001). Conclusion. The serum zinc levels in this study were low. Painful crisis in SCA may exert greater demand for zinc utilization in children with SCA thereby resulting in lower serum levels.
