Laboratory parameters based on intention-to-treat population. (A) Hemoglobin concentration; (B) MCV; (C) percentage of HbS; (D) percentage of HbF; (E) ARC; (F) WBC; (G) ANC; (H) ferritin. Complete blood counts and reticulocytes were obtained locally, while hemoglobin electrophoresis and serum ferritin were measured centrally. The standard treatment arm is indicated by dashes, while the alternative treatment arm is indicated by the solid line. Values are illustrated as medians with 25%-75% whisker plots. All parameters are significantly different (P < .001) between treatment groups except for panel A, which had no difference.