Elevated exhaled carbon monoxide concentration in hemoglobinopathies and its relation to red blood cell transfusion therapy.

In this study, the authors examined a possible role of measurements of end-tidal carbon monoxide (CO), corrected for inhaled CO (ETCOc), as a noninvasive screening tool for hemoglobinopathies and as an indicator for when transfusions would be required in patients receiving chronic transfusions. ETCOc measurements were obtained in subjects with sickle cell disease (n = 18), thalassemia (n = 21), and healthy controls (n = 62). ETCOc values less than 3 parts per million (ppm) yielded a positive predictive value of 93% and negative predictive value of 94% in identifying hemoglobinopathies.

Altered iron metabolism in children with human immunodeficiency virus disease.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of altered iron metabolism in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, these alterations have not been well studied.

Procedures: Twenty-six children with HIV disease underwent laboratory evaluation to determine the presence of anemia, and to classify the anemia as iron-deficiency anemia or anemia of chronic disease.

Results: Half of the children had an alteration in iron metabolism: 6 were iron deficient, 4 had hyperferritinemia, and 3 demonstrated hyperferritinemia with iron deficiency.