Serum immunoglobulin levels in children with homozygous sickle cell disease.

Serum immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM) have been assayed in a representative sample of children (aged 1-7 years) with homozygous sickle cell disease and in the age/sex-matched control children with a normal haemoglobin genotype, followed from birth in a prospective cohort study. In SS disease, significant elevation of IgA occurred from the age of two years and of IgG from the age of six years. IgM levels were not significantly different in the two genotypes. The mechanisms contributing to these changes in immunoglobulins are currently unclear as is their clinical significance.