Fluid and Sodium Intake and the Relationship to Total Body Water in Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia (HbSS) is the most common and severe form of sickle cell disease.1,2 A complication of HbSS is vaso-occlusion pain crisis (VOC) that occurs when the sickled red blood cells become lodged in the blood vessel and causes pain.5 The purpose of this study was to measure hydration status using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), to measure fluid and sodium intake, and to see if there is an association between oral fluid intake, sodium intake, and hydration status. Ten children between the ages of 5 and 17 who had HbSS were recruited. The BIA measured their total body water (TBW) and their food records were analyzed. The average sodium intake among subjects was 3708 mg/day. This average intake is much higher than the USDA DRI for sodium intake in children. The average fluid intake was 1.29 liters/day, which was less than recommended. There was no correlation found between fluid or sodium intake and TBW content