Abstract
The SOD2 polymorphism Val16Ala T→C influences the antioxidative response. This study investigated the association of the SOD2 polymorphism and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity with the vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and acute splenic sequestration (ASS) in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). One hundred ninety-five children with SCA aged 1-9 years old were analyzed. The TC and CC genotypes were associated with lower SOD activity compared with the TT genotype (p=0.0321; p=0.0253, respectively). Furthermore, TC and CC were more frequent in patients with VOC or ASS (p=0.0285; p=0.0090, respectively). These results suggest that the SOD2 polymorphism associated with low SOD activity could be a susceptibility factor for the occurrence of VOC and ASS.