Neonatal screening for genetic blood diseases

Abstract EN

Background: Previous neonatal screening in 1986 showed that the incidence of sickle cell disease (SCD) is 2.1% and (SCT) is l1%.

Since 1984 the Ministry of Health (MOH) instituted a prevention campaign.

The incidence has been falling gradually since then.

Objective: To update the national data on the incidence of SCD among the newborns and to compare it with the previously available data.

Method: All Bahraini newborns delivered at the (MOH) maternity hospitals for a period of three months from February to April 2002 were targeted.

Cord blood samples were analyzed by HPLC.

Result: Two thousand newborns constituted the study population five were excluded.

Eighteen were found to be affected with SCD with an incidence of 0.9%.

SCT was found in 325 (16.3%).

G6PD deficiency was found in 18% of males, and 10% of females.

Parental age distribution and consanguinity were documented.