Erythropoiesis in Sickle Cell Anaemia during Acute Infection and Crisis

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Abstract
Erythropoiesis was evaluated in 37 patients with sickle cell anemia; 26 were children under 12 yr of age. Mean Hb, hematocrit, reticulocyte and erythropoietin levels were similar for 11 who were asymptomatic, 11 with infections and 12 in vaso-occlusive crisis. Mean Hb, hematocrit and reticulocyte values were significantly lower and the mean erythropoietin level was significantly higher for 3 patients in aplastic crisis. Reticulocyte counts reflected erythropoietic activity during the asymptomatic state but were variable during infection and crisis. No erythropoietic inhibitory activity was found in any of the 4 clinical states. Erythropoietin production may decrease during infection. Patients in this study responded appropriately to stress, showing no decrease in erythropoietic activity during acute infection or crisis.