Bone mineral density in sickle cell disease

ABSTRACT

Osteoarticular complications are common in sickle cell anemia. Decreased bone mineral density [BMD] can lead to painful microfractures in poorly oxygenated tissue. Therefore, we investigated the BMD in 19 sickle cell disease [SCD] pediatric patients and 10 control children using single photon absorptiometry. In 42.1% of cases, the BMD in the lumbar area was decreased 1.60.3 SD below mean for age. Our results were different from a similar study carried out on American children. However, since other factors responsible for bony complications in this chronic disease can not be avoided, remineralization strategies during the pain-free period is suggested trying to prevent the possible microfractures which play an important role in the etiology of bone painful crises