Child's silhouette filled with glowing micronutrients against African savanna sunset.

Unlocking the Secrets: How Albumin and Trace Elements Impact Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Rhea Morgan in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A groundbreaking study from the Democratic Republic of Congo reveals the delicate balance of copper, manganese, cobalt, and albumin in young patients battling sickle cell anemia."

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic blood disorder affecting millions worldwide, particularly in regions like Africa and the Middle East. Characterized by chronic hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) and inflammation, SCA places immense stress on the body's antioxidant defenses. This is where micronutrients come into play.

Antioxidant enzymes, vital for neutralizing harmful free radicals, require specific micronutrients to function correctly. While the roles of zinc, selenium, and magnesium in SCA have been relatively well-documented, the impact of other trace elements like manganese, cobalt, and copper remains less clear. A new study conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sheds light on this critical area.

Researchers at the Muhona Hospital of Kasumbalesa, located in a rural, resource-limited setting, investigated the levels of albumin, copper, manganese, and cobalt in children with SCA compared to healthy controls. Their findings offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between these micronutrients and the disease.

Decoding the Micronutrient Puzzle: What the Study Revealed

Child's silhouette filled with glowing micronutrients against African savanna sunset.

The study, published in BMC Hematology, compared 76 children with SCA (Hb-SS) to 76 children without SCA (controls). The research team meticulously measured plasma concentrations of copper, manganese, cobalt, and albumin using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Here's a breakdown of the key findings:

No Significant Differences: Surprisingly, the study found no significant differences in the levels of cobalt, manganese, copper, or albumin between the two groups (p > 0.05).
Age and Location: The mean age of children in the SCA group was 10.0 years (SD = 5.4), while the control group averaged 9.2 years (SD = 4.7). All participants resided in the same geographic area of Kasumbalesa, DRC.
Study Parameters: SCA Children were in steady state (free of pain for at least one month) and had not been hospitalized or transfused for at least 100 days before the study.

These results challenge some previous assumptions about micronutrient deficiencies in SCA. While SCA is known to increase oxidative stress and demand for antioxidants, this study suggests that, at least in this specific population, children with SCA maintain similar levels of these key elements compared to their healthy peers.

Implications and Future Directions: What Does This Mean for SCA Management?

The study authors propose several possible explanations for their findings. First, children with SCA in this region may have adequate compensatory intake of these elements through their diet. Second, the body might be adapting through a process of elemental dyshomeostasis, where the distribution and utilization of these elements are altered within the body. Larger investigations will focus on data in SCA children in crisis compared to steady state.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s12878-018-0118-z, Alternate LINK

Title: Albumin, Copper, Manganese And Cobalt Levels In Children Suffering From Sickle Cell Anemia At Kasumbalesa, In Democratic Republic Of Congo

Subject: Hematology

Journal: BMC Hematology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Olivier Mukuku, Joseph K. Sungu, Augustin Mulangu Mutombo, Paul Makan Mawaw, Michel Ntetani Aloni, Stanislas Okitotsho Wembonyama, Oscar Numbi Luboya

Published: 2018-09-06

Everything You Need To Know

What specific micronutrients and proteins were analyzed in the study focusing on children with sickle cell anemia?

The study investigated the levels of albumin, copper, manganese, and cobalt in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) compared to a control group of healthy children. Researchers meticulously measured plasma concentrations of these elements using atomic absorption spectrophotometry to understand their roles in managing oxidative stress in SCA patients.

What were the main findings regarding the levels of cobalt, manganese, copper, and albumin in children with sickle cell anemia compared to healthy children?

The study surprisingly found no significant differences in the levels of cobalt, manganese, copper, or albumin between children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and the healthy control group. This suggests that, in the studied population in the Democratic Republic of Congo, children with SCA maintain similar levels of these key elements compared to their healthy peers, at least when in a steady state (not in crisis).

What potential explanations did the researchers offer for the unexpected results concerning micronutrient levels in children with sickle cell anemia?

The researchers propose that children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) in the Democratic Republic of Congo might have adequate dietary intake of copper, manganese, and cobalt, compensating for any increased demand due to the disease. Another possibility is that the body may adapt through elemental dyshomeostasis, altering the distribution and utilization of these elements within the body to maintain overall balance, even with altered levels in the blood.

How does this research contribute to our understanding of trace elements beyond zinc, selenium, and magnesium in the context of sickle cell anemia?

While zinc, selenium, and magnesium are relatively well-documented in sickle cell anemia (SCA), the roles of manganese, cobalt, and copper have been less clear. This study aimed to provide insights into the impact of these trace elements, along with albumin, on children with SCA, particularly concerning oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses.

What are some of the recommended next steps for research, following the recent study in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to further investigate the role of trace elements and albumin in sickle cell anemia?

Future studies should investigate whether the levels of albumin, copper, manganese, and cobalt change during sickle cell crisis compared to steady state. Additionally, larger investigations are needed to confirm these findings in diverse populations and to explore the mechanisms behind elemental dyshomeostasis and its impact on overall health in individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA).