[Incidence and prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in children in The Netherlands].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and incidence of thalassaemia major and sickle-cell disease in children.


METHODS
Descriptive nationwide epidemiological study.


METHODS
Clinical Genetic Centre Utrecht.


METHODS
Prevalence data were collected by a written survey among all 333 Dutch paediatricians (1992; response rate 99.1%). Incidence data are collected monthly by the Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit (1992/'93; response rate: 86%).


RESULTS
In September 1992, 128 children were being treated by a paediatrician for sickle-cell disease. Two children had parents born in the Netherlands, but all children were of other ethnic origins, mainly from Surinam, the Dutch Antilles, Turkey and Africa; 50 children were born in the Netherlands. 31 children were under treatment for thalassaemia major, none of them of original Dutch descent; the most frequent ethnic backgrounds were Turkey and Morocco; 20 children were born in the Netherlands. From October 1992 till December 1993 (15 months) 18 children were newly diagnosed with sickle-cell disease, of whom 7 were born in the Netherlands, and 8 children were newly diagnosed with thalassaemia major, of whom 2 were born in the Netherlands.


CONCLUSIONS
Sickle-cell disease and thalassaemia major are (still) rare diseases in the Netherlands. With the present migration and the increase of consanguineous marriage, they are expected to become a more important health issue.
Rengelink-van der Lee
J H
JH
Klinisch Genetisch Centrum, Utrecht.
Schulpen
T W
TW
Beemer
F A
FA
D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics
Incidentie en prevalentie van hemoglobinopathieën bij kinderen in Nederland.