Neonatal screening for sickle cell disorders in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of sickle cell disorders (SCDs) and the feasibility of a neonatal screening programme in Ouagadougou.


METHODS
During 2000, 2003 and 2004, 2341 cord blood samples obtained in five maternity hospitals in Ouagadougou were screened for SCDs using an isoelectric focusing technique. The feasibility of a neonatal screening programme was evaluated.


RESULTS
The incidence of SCD was 1:57; 14 neonates were homozygous for haemoglobin (Hb)S and 27 were compound heterozygotes for HbSC. Thirty-two neonates were homozygous for HbC. The incidence of the HbC trait was 1:6; incidence of the HbS trait was 1:14. A centralized laboratory for neonatal screening of SCDs was established.


CONCLUSIONS
SCDs should be considered a major public health problem in Ouagadougou. A neonatal screening programme should be implemented, but to be effective it requires strategies adapted to the local situation.
Kafando
Eléonore
E
Laboratory of Haematology and Clinical Chemistry, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Sawadogo
Mamadou
M
Cotton
Frédéric
F
Vertongen
Fanchon
F
Gulbis
Béatrice
B
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D002050:Burkina Faso; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle / Q000235:genetics*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008403:Mass Screening; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D010641:Phenotype; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics
D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D006454:Hemoglobins