Abstract
The prevalence and causes of anaemia among the inhabitants of a Southern Lebanese village were studied. Of the 317 patients examined 75, or 24% were found to be heterozygotes for Hb S. There was a reciprocal relation between the presence of sickle cell trait and of iron deficiency anaemia. The prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia defined as the coexistence of Hb below 13 g/dl in adult males and below 12 in adult females and children with two laboratory indicators of iron deficiency, was 10.3 % in the normal population as against 1.3 % in the sickle cell trait group (P < 0.008). The reduced frequency of iron deficiency anaemia in sickle cell trait may be explained by increased iron absorption, or alternatively by reduced iron requirements and a lower risk of discrepancy between iron supply and demand. Because of the central role of iron in the function of a great number of enzymes and proteins, it is possible that protection against iron deficiency anaemia by the sickle cell trait may result in improved working capacity and a lower incidence of infections.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 304-310 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Haematology |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1982 |
Keywords
- iron deficiency
- iron metabolism
- nutritional anaemia
- sickle cell anaemia