An estimation of the incidence and demographic picture of the major hemoglobinopathies in Belgium (from a confidential inquiry).
An estimation of the incidence and demographic picture of the major hemoglobinopathies in Belgium has been approached through a confidential inquiry sent to 228 pediatric and adult hematological departments. Forty-two percent of responses showed that 417 patients are known in Belgium: 83% with sickle cell disease, 13% with beta-thalassemia (beta-thal) major, 2% with beta-thal intermedia, and 1% with Hb H disease. Twenty-five percent of the sickle cell disease patients and 54% of those suffering from a beta-thal major were older than 20 years. Three hospitals ensure the follow-up of 70% of the patients and are situated in Brussels, Belgium; a follow-up of less than 20 patients was reported at 21 centers. These results confirm that sickle cell disease is the major hemoglobinopathy in Belgium; it concerns mostly pediatricians but adult hematologists are also confronted with these pathologies. Therefore, it is necessary to implement integrated programs of prevention and treatment.
Gulbis
Béatrice
B
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Cliniques Universitaires de Bruxelles, Hopital Erasme, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Ferster
Alice
A
Vermylen
Christiane
C
Dresse
Marie-Françoise
MF
Vanderfaeillie
Anna
A
Delannoy
André
A
Labarque
Veerle
V
Philippet
Pierre
P
Kentos
Alain
A
Sztern
Bernard
B
Deprijck
Bernard
B
Vertongen
Françoise
F
D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006453:Hemoglobinopathies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male