We measured parameters of calcium homeostasis and vitamin D status in HbSS patients (median age 8 years, range 3–19; 8 females, 10 males) and matched HbAA controls living in the tropical island of Curaçao. Serum calcium concentration in HbSS patients [2·32(0·07) mmol/L] was lower (ANCOVA, P = 0·002) than that of HbAA controls [2·44(0·14)]. None of the subjects had hypocalcaemia. There were no differences in serum concentrations of phosphate, total protein, albumin, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [87(27) nmol/L in patients, 86(15) nmol/L in controls) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. There were no significant relations between PTH and 25(OH)D. We conclude that vitamin D status of HbSS patients in Curaçao is adequate.
SerjeantGR. Sickle Cell Disease, 2nd edn.Oxford, New York, Tokyo: Oxford University Press, 1992.
2.
MohammedSAddaeSSuleimanSAdzakuFAnnobilSKaddoumiOSerum calcium, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D status in children and young adults with sickle cell disease. Ann Clin Biochem1993; 30: 45–51.
3.
van der DijsFPLvan den BergGASchermerJGMuskietFDLandmanHMuskietFAJ. Screening cord blood for hemoglobinopathies and thalassemia by HPLC. Clin Chem1992; 38: 1864–9.
4.
StevensJ. Applied Multivariate Statistics for the Social Sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1986.
5.
NdukeNEkekeGI. Serum calcium and protein in haemoglobin-SS patients. Folia Haematol1987; 114: 508–11.
6.
MohamedAOBayoumiRAHofvanderYOmerMIARonquistG. Sickle cell anaemia in Sudan: Clinical findings, haematological and serum variables. Ann Trop Paediatr1992; 12: 131–6.
7.
DubbelmanRJonxisJHPMuskietFAJSalehAEC. Age-dependent vitamin D status and vertebral condition of white women living in Curaçao (The Netherlands Antilles), as compared with their counterparts in The Netherlands. Am J Clin Nutr1993; 58: 106–9.
