title: Serum-alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase levels in sickle-cell disease and sickle-cell crisis.
abstract: In patients with sickle-cell disease (Hb S/S disease) who are not in crisis, the serum-level of alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (alpha-H.B.D.) is significantly above normal. The degree of elevation correlates with the severity of the disease. During infarctive crises the level increases still further by a factor of 2 to 3, and it returns to the patient's normal level on recovery. The level of alpha-H.B.D. thus provides an index of the severity of the disease. Also, it allows distinction between true infarctive crisis, infection, and fake symptoms. In 5 patients a rise in the level of alpha-H.B.D. above the patient's normal level was detected several days before the onset of symptoms, which suggests that there may be a "prodromal" phase.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D044383:Black People; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000098:blood supply; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D006884:Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006884:Hydroxybutyrate Dehydrogenase