Evaluation of Some Micronutrients in Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder of haemoglobin caused by a single nucleotide substitution of thymidine for adenine (GAG-GTG) of the β-chain that results in the amino acid valine instead of glutamic acid. This congenital haemoglobin mutation alters this balance and creates a pro-oxidant and micronutrient reactive milieu.Our aim is to assess some micronutrients status of sickle cell patients. A total of one hundred (100) subjects were recruited for this study which consists of fifty (50) sickle cell subjects and fifty (50) apparently healthy subjects which served as control. Blood samples were collected by vene-puncture and some micronutrients (Iron, Zinc, Manganese, cobalt, Calcium and Magnesium) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. All parameters were significantly decreased in sickle cell patients when compared with apparently controls. Considering the results obtained in this study, it could be inferred that sickle cell subjects are predisposed to nutritional deficiencies. We therefore advocate routine assessment of micronutrients in sickle cell patients.