IRON STUDIES IN PREGNANT AND NON‐PREGNANT WOMEN WITH HAEMOGLOBIN SS OR SC DISEASE

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Abstract
Fe studies were performed in 22 pregnant and 18 non-pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies. Mean packed cell volume and mean Hb concentration were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in Hb SS patients than in Hb SC patients, in both the pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Transferrin saturation was significantly lower in pregnant patients (Hb SS and SC) than in the non-pregnant group (P < 0.001). Serum ferritin values in the Hb SS and SC pregnant patients were not significantly different (P < 0.05). There was a strong correlation between serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation in the pregnant group (r = 0.71; P < 0.001). Of the 22 pregnant women, 14 (63%) and 9 of the 18 non-pregnant women (50%) had scanty or no Fe in the bone marrow; the serum ferritin levels increased progressively with greater amount of bone marrow hemosiderin. There was evidence of Fe deficiency in both the pregnant and non-pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies and this suggests the need for further study on routine Fe administration in the management of sickle cell disease patients.

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