title: Sickle cell disease: new opportunities and challenges in Africa.
abstract: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic causes of illness and death in the world. This is a review of SCD in Africa, which bears the highest burden of disease. The first section provides an introduction to the molecular basis of SCD and the pathophysiological mechanism of selected clinical events. The second section discusses the epidemiology of the disease (prevalence, morbidity, and mortality), at global level and within Africa. The third section discusses the laboratory diagnosis and management of SCD, emphasizing strategies that been have proven to be effective in areas with limited resources. Throughout the review, specific activities that require evidence to guide healthcare in Africa, as well as strategic areas for further research, will be highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ; Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Makani
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA ; School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ofori-Acquah
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nnodu
authors.affiliation: Division of Human Genetics, Faculty of Heath Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa ; Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wonkam
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohene-Frempong
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D009313:National Health Programs; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010146:Pain; D015995:Prevalence; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006918:Hydroxyurea