Delayed skeletal maturation in sickle cell anemia in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

The maturation of the left distal radial epiphysis was studied in 86 adolescent patients with homozygous sickle cell disease in Jamaica. Development was retarded in 81 patients and in the remaining five, the epiphysis had fused. Delay in epiphyseal fusion related to the level of fetal haemoglobin. Delay in epiphyseal fusion may be an important determinant of the characteristic habitus of adults with sickle cell anemia.(Summary)