Bone Turnover Markers Levels in a Cohort of Egyptian Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Bony complications are variable and common in sickle cell disease. Bone turnover markers are a reflection of bone new bone formation or degradation. The aim of this study is to assess the level of bone turnover markers in patients with sickle cell disease. This case-control study included 40 patients with sickle cell disease and 40 age and sex matched controls. Detection of serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, serum creatinine levels were done. Assessment of Urinary deoxypyridinoline, Urinary N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, and serum osteocalcin were done. Serum osteocalcin was significantly lower, urinary deoxypyridinoline, Urinary N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were significantly higher among cases than the control group. Best cut off point for urinary deoxypyridinoline and urinary N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen were 85.9ng/mg creatinine and 167.4 ng/mg creatinine respectively. Significant bone disease in patients with sickle cell anemia may be reflected by high levels of urinary Deoxypyridinoline and N-telopeptide of type I collagen at or above the cut off value.