Nutritional status and dietary intake of children with sickle cell anemia.

The nutritional status and dietary intake of children with sickle cell anemia were examined to confirm the presence of deficiencies. Nine children with sickle cell anemia and 19 controls were assessed. Resting energy expenditure was measured with open circuit indirect calorimetry and body composition was estimated from skinfold measurements. Three-day food records were analyzed for protein, zinc, vitamin A, folic acid, and iron content. Serum vitamin A, red blood cell zinc, red blood cell folate, serum folate, serum ferritin, hematocrit, total urine nitrogen, and 24-h urine creatinine levels were measured. The children with sickle cell anemia were leaner, weighed less, and had lower red blood cell zinc levels, lower serum vitamin A levels, lower urine nitrogen levels, and greater resting energy expenditure than controls. Serum and red blood cell folate levels were within normal ranges and similar to controls. The serum ferritin level was higher than controls and higher than normal for age. Dietary intake of energy and protein was more than that of controls, and dietary intake of zinc, vitamin A, folic acid, and iron was similar to that of controls and adequate compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Further studies are needed to explain the physical and biochemical differences seen in children with sickle cell anemia despite dietary intakes that appear to be adequate and similar to those of controls.