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Iron deficiency and sickle cell anemia.
Archives of Internal Medicine
|May 1, 1983
Summary
Iron deficiency in sickle cell anemia patients led to fewer sickled red blood cells (RBCs) and increased oxygen affinity. Iron therapy reversed these effects, suggesting iron
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Medical Biochemistry
Background:
- Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin.
- Iron deficiency is a common comorbidity that affects red blood cell parameters.
Observation:
- A patient with sickle cell anemia presented with iron deficiency, hypochromic, microcytic RBCs, and low serum ferritin.
- Reduced mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was observed, correlating with a scarcity of sickled erythrocytes.
Findings:
- Iron therapy increased reticulocytosis and the number of sickled erythrocytes.
- In vitro studies showed reduced sickling potential in iron-deficient erythrocytes.
- Iron deficiency decreased the P50 (oxygen pressure for 50% hemoglobin saturation), indicating increased oxygen affinity.
Implications:
- Reduced MCHC due to iron deficiency may paradoxically ameliorate red blood cell sickling in sickle cell anemia.
- Understanding iron's role in sickling offers potential therapeutic insights.