Asthma is a distinct comorbid condition in children with sickle cell anemia with elevated total and allergen-specific IgE levels.

Asthma in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the definition of asthma in SCA is based on a physician's impression. In a retrospective cohort of children with SCA, relationships between a physician diagnosis of asthma and total and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E levels were evaluated. In children with SCA, elevated total and specific immunoglobulin E levels were significantly associated with a diagnosis of asthma (P<0.05), further supporting the concept that asthma is a separate comorbid condition of SCA.