Increased Reticulocytosis in Infants with Sickle Cell Disease May Be a Marker for Future Disease Severity

Abstract 2128 The first erythropoietic stress in term neonates occurs at the time of the erythrocyte nadir (around three months of age) and is associated with increased reticulocytosis. In infants with sickle cell disease (HbSS, SCD), this nadir generally precedes the onset of clinical signs and symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine if reticulocyte levels and properties during early infancy in SCD patients are useful in disease severity prediction. Peripheral blood from 111 children with SCD who were enrolled in this observational study was analyzed within 48 hours of collection and storage at 4°C. Reticulocytes were quantified by absolute reticulocyte count (ARC) as well as reticulocyte flow cytometry phenotyping and sorting using CD71 (CD71 Hi, CD71 Lo and CD71 Neg) and CD36 markers. Among the entire group, ARC is negatively correlated with HbF (r=−0.72, p Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.