There
was an inverse relationship between sickle cell trait and iron
deficiency, and we speculate that sickle cell trait may confer a protective benefit against the occurrence of iron deficiency.
Increased research and programmatic emphasis should be
placed on decreasing modifiable risk factors for anemia, iron
deficiency, and malaria parasitemia, such as improved nutritional
intake of iron-rich local foods, wider use of insecticideimpregnated
bed nets and the expanded use of intermittent
presumptive treatment in the prenatal period.