title: Iron in sickle-cell disease: what have we learned over the years?
abstract: Over the last four decades, monumental advances have been made in the understanding, assessment, and management of transfusion-dependent patients, which have translated into significant improvements in patient morbidity and mortality. Important lessons have been learned from extensive clinical experience of iron management in the thalassemias, but greater knowledge of key differences in the sickle-cell disease (SCD) population may impact on our approach to patient assessment and management. The unique pathophysiology of SCD is reflected in a distinct pattern of iron loading with minimal organ-specific injury. An appreciation and understanding of these differences should allow us to develop tailored management approaches that optimize patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Children's Centre for Cancer and Blood Diseases, Rafik Hariri University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon. adlette.inati@lau.edu.lb
authors.forename: Adlette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inati
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khoriaty
authors.forename: Khaled M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Musallam
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D007501:Iron