title: [Iron status in 72 Congolese patients with sickle cell anemia].
abstract: Multiple blood transfusions, intestinal parasites, and high iron needs during the growth period are all factors that influence iron status in African children. To determine their iron status and its association with these factors, we studied 72 homozygous sickle-cell patients in a steady state in Kinshasa. Iron status was determined by a combination of several indicators: ferritin, transferrin, blood count, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation, and C-reactive protein. These results were compared with those from a matched control group without sickle-cell disease. Compared to the control group, 5 patients (11%) were iron-deficient, while 18 (35%) had an iron overload, probably due to multiple blood transfusions. This study shows the importance of periodic assessments of iron status in homozygous sickle cell patients to prevent and manage any iron imbalance.
authors.affiliation: CEFA Centre de formation et d'appui sanitaire/centre hospitalier Monkole, 10, avenue Mbanza Mboma, commune de Mont Ngafula, BP 817 KIN, Kinshasa, République démocratique du Congo.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tshilolo
authors.affiliation: Département de biologie médicale, cliniques universitaires de Kinshasa, Zaïre.
authors.forename: M Ngole
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Zita
authors.affiliation: Département de pédiatrie, cliniques universitaires de Kinshasa, Zaïre.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ngiyulu
authors.affiliation: Département de biologie médicale, cliniques universitaires de Kinshasa, Zaïre.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kayembe Nzongola
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D003223:Congo; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007501:Iron
keywords: Congo; blood transfusion; iron deficiency; iron overload; sickle cell anemia