Renoux C, et al. - The authors intended to examine the associations between several sickle cell disease genetic modifiers (beta-globin haplotypes, alpha-thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) and the level of oxidative stress in children with sickle cell anemia. They further evaluated the relationship between oxidative stress and the rates of vaso-occlusive events. In children with alpha-thalassemia, mild hemolysis could limit oxidative stress. In addition, it could explain the protective role of alpha-thalassemia in hemolysis-related sickle cell complications.