Prevalence of abnormal hemoglobins among students in Bahrain : a ten-year study

Abstract EN

Background : Sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia are common in the Arab countries.

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal hemoglobin in secondary school students in Bahrain and to compare the prevalence rates from 1999-2008.

Design : Prospective study.

Setting : Hematology Laboratory at Salmaniya Medical Complex.

Method : The students of the 11th grade (2nd grade in secondary schools), during 1999-2008 were screened.

Hb Chromatography was done by HPLC.

Informed consents were obtained from the parents.

Result : Sixty thousand and four hundred twenty-four (60,424) students were screened.

The most common type of hemoglobin was hemoglobin A, found in 50756 (84 %) of the students.

The second was Hb S, the average prevalence of SCD was 1.13%, sickle cell trait was seen (SCT) in 13.3 %.

SCT in 1999 was 13.81 and in 2008 it was 12.8.

Hb D heterozygous was found in 306 (0.51 %) of the screened individuals.

Hb D homozygous was found in 17 (0.03 %).

Hb EA heterozygous was found in 84 (0.14 %), while Hb E homozygous was found in 3 (0.005 %) of the students.

Conclusion : The prevalence of SCD among the age groups (16-18 years) revealed a significant decline during these ten years period P = .000.

The continuation of the screening and education efforts might reduce the prevalence further, if not eliminate it.

SCD in 2000 was 1.3 and in 2008 it was 0.81.