Protective role of hemoglobin and fetal hemoglobin in early kidney disease for children with sickle cell anemia

Patients with sickle cell anemia are at risk for organ damage including kidney disease. Microalbuminuria may be an early marker of disease progression. This retrospective review analyzed laboratory and clinical findings in children with sickle cell anemia according to the presence or absence of MA during well clinic sickle cell visits. Results were analyzed in sum as well as by therapeutic intervention (not on therapy, hydroxyurea therapy, or chronic transfusion therapy). Thirty two of 144 (22%) children had MA, including 20 of 82 (24%) children not on a therapeutic intervention (chronic transfusion or hydroxyurea). In children not on therapy, low hemoglobin, low fetal hemoglobin and high lactate dehydrogenase were associated with MA. Frequency of positive screens for MA for the different treatment groups were: Hydroxyurea 13%; chronic transfusion 26% and children on no treatment 24%. However, the difference between the hydroxyurea group and the chronic transfusion or no treatment groups did not reach statistical significance. Increased hemoglobin and fetal hemoglobin may provide protection against kidney disease in sickle cell anemia and should be evaluated in a randomized, prospective clinical trial.