Background: Foetal haemoglobin (HbF) is a major regulator of the haematologic and clinical features of Sickle cell anaemia (SCA). This study examines the frequency of high HbF concentration and its effect on the levels of indices of iron status in adult SCA subjects on steady clinical state. Materials and Methods: Iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), percentage transferrin saturation (TS), HbF and full blood count were determined in adult sickle cell disease and control subjects using spectrophotometric method and haematology analyzer. Results: One hundred (100) adults with SCA on steady clinical state and 50 with normal haemoglobin were recruited for the study. Out of the 100 SCA subjects, 25(25%) had hereditary persistent HbF (HPFH) (≥5%). Serum iron and TS were significantly lower (p<0.001) in SCA subjects compared with controls, while mean TIBC and HbF were significantly higher (p<0.001) in SCA subjects than controls. The mean serum iron and TS were significantly higher (p<0.001) in HPFH SCA subjects compared to SCA subjects with low (≤4.9%) HbF concentrations, while TIBC was significantly lower (p<0.001) in HPFH SCA subjects than those with low HbF concentrations. Conclusion: The indices of iron status were near normal levels in HPFH SCA compared to the levels in SCA with low HbF which may due to increased haemoglobin, relative decrease in intravascular haemolysis and urinary loss of iron. The proportion of SCD subjects with HPFH as observed was 25%. It is suggested that iron status in SCA subjects should be done routinely.
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