Macronutrient and micronutrient requirements in sickle cell disease across age groups: a narrative review.
- 1Department of Community Medicine, Manipal Tata Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
- 2Department of Community Medicine, Manipal Tata Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India. [email protected].
- 3Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
Abstract
Background
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary haemoglobinopathy characterised by chronic haemolysis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased metabolic demands. Nutritional deficiencies worsen disease severity, growth, immunity, and quality of life, but evidence on age‑specific needs is fragmented. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on macronutrient and micronutrient requirements, deficiencies, and interventions in SCD across age groups.Methods
A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (January 2000-March 2025). Original studies evaluating nutritional status or interventions in confirmed SCD were included.Results
Individuals with SCD are in a hypermetabolic state with elevated energy and protein requirements. Common micronutrient deficiencies include vitamin D (prevalence 56.2% in children, 75.5% in adults), zinc, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin C. Zinc deficiency is associated with more vaso‑occlusive crises, infections, delayed growth, and hospitalisations. Omega‑3 fatty acids, L‑arginine, glutamine, zinc, and vitamin D supplementation show potential benefits in reducing pain severity, vaso‑occlusive events, inflammation, and hospital admissions, while improving growth, endothelial function, and quality of life. However, the certainty of the evidence is low to very low due to small sample sizes and heterogeneous methods; adult‑specific data are particularly scarce.Conclusion
Major gaps remain in standardised dietary recommendations and supplementation protocols. Large, high‑quality randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to establish evidence‑based nutritional guidelines for SCD.
Related
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- Probing Red Blood Cell Deformability in Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Trait, and Healthy Controls by Ektacytometry
- Association of systemic inflammation indices with micronutrient status in adult patients with celiac disease
- Perspectives of healthcare workers on sickle cell disease in tribal India: insights for strengthening the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission of India
- Anemia in a Cohort of Greek Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: Clinical Insights and Therapeutic Challenges
BibTeX
@article{bhattacharjee2026macronutrient,
title = {{Macronutrient and micronutrient requirements in sickle cell disease across age groups: a narrative review.}},
author = {Sarbasree Bhattacharjee and Jarina Begum and Ranjitha S Shetty and Syed Irfan Ali and Gaurav Kumar Roy},
journal = {Journal of community genetics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1007/s12687-026-00959-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895679},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Macronutrient and micronutrient requirements in sickle cell disease across age groups: a narrative review.
AU - Sarbasree Bhattacharjee
AU - Jarina Begum
AU - Ranjitha S Shetty
AU - Syed Irfan Ali
AU - Gaurav Kumar Roy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Journal of community genetics
DO - 10.1007/s12687-026-00959-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42895679
AB - Background Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hereditary haemoglobinopathy characterised by chronic haemolysis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased metabolic demands. Nutritional deficiencies worsen disease severity, growth, immunity, and quality of life, but evidence on age‑specific needs is fragmented. This narrative review synthesises current evidence on macronutrient and micronutrient requirements, deficiencies, and interventions in SCD across age groups.Methods A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (January 2000-March 2025). Original studies evaluating nutritional status or interventions in confirmed SCD were included.Results Individuals with SCD are in a hypermetabolic state with elevated energy and protein requirements. Common micronutrient deficiencies include vitamin D (prevalence 56.2% in children, 75.5% in adults), zinc, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin C. Zinc deficiency is associated with more vaso‑occlusive crises, infections, delayed growth, and hospitalisations. Omega‑3 fatty acids, L‑arginine, glutamine, zinc, and vitamin D supplementation show potential benefits in reducing pain severity, vaso‑occlusive events, inflammation, and hospital admissions, while improving growth, endothelial function, and quality of life. However, the certainty of the evidence is low to very low due to small sample sizes and heterogeneous methods; adult‑specific data are particularly scarce.Conclusion Major gaps remain in standardised dietary recommendations and supplementation protocols. Large, high‑quality randomised controlled trials are urgently needed to establish evidence‑based nutritional guidelines for SCD.
SN - 1868-310X
SN - 1868-6001
ER -