Frequency of Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait in Patients Referred to Algeneina Hospital in West Darfur State

Abstract

This is analytical, descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted to determine the frequency of the sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait in Sudanese patients referred to Algeneina hospital in West Darfur state in the period between January 2011 to June 2011. One hundred fifty (150) patients were informed their parents about consent for participation was obtained. A venous blood of 2-5ml was collected in ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) containers and investigated for sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, a complete blood count (CBC) [semi automated hematological analyzer (Sysmex kx21N)]was used, sickling test and hemoglobin electrophoresis were carried out, and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer program version 10 was used for data processing. The mean age of the sickle cell disease patients was 6 years. The result showed that percentage of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait were (38.7%) and (24%) respectively. Total erythrocyte count, hemoglobin level and packed cell volume the sickle cell disease were (3.19x103/μl) ± SD, (8.1g/dl) ±SD and (26.1%) respectively. There were no significant differences in sickle cell disease and normal individual in mean cell volume (84.1fL)± SD, mean cell hemoglobin (26.7pg)±SD and mean cell hemoglobin concentration (31.5g/dl ) ± SD. (P.Value > 0.05). The total leukocyte count (20.2x103/μl) ±SD and platelets count (330.6x103/μl) ±SD were significantly elevated in sickle cell disease when compared with normal individuals (P.Value = 0.000). In conclusion, sickle cell anemia is highly frequent in the studied area which is most likely related to the consanguineous marriages.