The effect of human plasma transfusion on the fecal urobilinogen excretion on sickle cell anemia

1. The results of transfusions of whole plasma and blood on the fecal urobilinogen excretion of 5 children with sickle cell anemia have been reported.

2. The phenomenon observed by Josephs—a reduction in urobilinogen outputfollowing plasma transfusions—has been confirmed.

3. It has been observed further that in certain patients the continued use ofplasma transfusions induces a reversal of this phenomenon, namely an increase inurobilinogen output after each transfusion.

4. The possible significance of these phenomena is discussed and attention iscalled to the limitations inherent in accepting urobilinogen excretion as a validindex of hemoglobin destruction in certain disorders in which a defect of hemoglobin metabolism may be present.