Abstract
Of 170 sickle cell patients 2-12 years old, 22% had height and/or weight <5%ile. Growth and nutrition studies were done on 20 growth-retarded patients (GR) and 20 growth-normal patients (GN) matched for age, sex, hemoglobin disorder, and hematologic values. Selected tests were done on 10 control patients (C). Bone age was delayed in 5/16 GR and 5/12 GN. Somatomedin C (Som C) levels were below age-normals in 7/18 GR and 9/18 GN. Serum zinc levels were <70μg/dl in 32% of GR, 63% GN, and 10% C. Prealbumin levels were normal in all, suggesting that protein malnutrition was not present. Vitamin A (Vit A) levels <20μg/dl were found in 70% of GR. 47% GN, and 20% C. The mean Vit A level in C was higher than in GR (P =.004) or GN (P=.017). Retinol binding protein (RBP) was normal in all but <2.0mg/dl in 20% of GR and 5% of GN. The mean RBP was lower (P=.004) in GR than in GN; both means were significantly lower than in C. RBP and Vit A levels correlated well in C (r=.81) but poorly in sickle cell patients. Zinc, Som C, and bone age were frequently abnormal in sickle cell patients but did not correlate with growth status. Vit A and RBP were more often abnormal in GR than in GN. While zinc and Som C do not seem to cause poor growth, other nutritional factors, such as Vit A,may be important.
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Russell, M., Finan, A., Moskowitz, S. et al. 865 NUTRITION AND POOR GROWTH IN PRE-ADOLESCENT CHILDREN WITH SICKLING DISORDERS. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 586 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00890
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00890