title: Neonatal screening for sickle cell disorders in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: a pilot study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Haematology and Clinical Chemistry, Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
authors.forename: Eléonore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kafando
authors.forename: Mamadou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawadogo
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cotton
authors.forename: Fanchon
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vertongen
authors.forename: Béatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gulbis
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D006454:Hemoglobins