Zinc, copper and iron and their interrelations in the growth of sickle cell patients.

In this study we evaluated the nutritional status of 34 children with sickle cell disease (SS). Results were compared to 9 siblings with sickle cell trait (AS) and 35 eutrophic children who presented normal hemoglobin and normal hemoglobin electrophoresis (AA). All of then came from low socioeconomic level. Analysis of the growth velocity curves revealed in SS group, tendency to increase deficit in weight and height with age. There was no relation between weight/height (W/H) and height/age (H/A) percentile and hemoglobin levels. There was no significant relation between nutritional status and severity of the disease. SS group showed significant skeletal maturation delay, the same did not occur with the siblings (AS group). Plasma zinc levels were significantly lower in SS group than in AS and AA groups. In SS group there was some association between lower plasma zinc levels and H/A percentile lower or equal to 10. Plasma copper levels were significantly greater in SS group than in AS and AA ones, and there was no relation between plasma copper levels and serum ferritin levels. In conclusion, our patients with sickle cell disease showed indexes of malnutrition, iron deficiency, hypercupremia and low plasma zinc levels related to low stature.