Ethnic and Geographical Distribution of Sickle Cell Anaemia among Patients Referred to three Pediatric Hospitals in Khartoum State between November 2008-Febraury 2009

Abstract

This descriptive study was carried out in different pediatric hospitals in Khartoum state during the period from November 2008 to February 2009. The study was aimed to determine the ethnical and regional distribution of sickle cell anaemia among patients referring to pediatric hospitals of Khartoum state. Complete blood count, sickling test and haemoglobin electrophoresis were performed. A total number of 100 samples were collected from patients referring to pediatrics hospitals of Khartoum state, 81% of them with sickle cell disease and 19% with sickle cell trait based on results of haemoglobin electrophoresis. Females represent 53 of the studied patients where as male 47. The study also aimed to determine the anaemia parameters among patients with sickle cell disease and trait and to make a comparison between sickling test and haemoglobin electrophoresis. The results were showed that sickle cell anaemia is predominant among tribes of Western Sudan (88 % of cases) with highest frequency among Messeria tribe 31% of cases followed by Rezigat 13% and Four 11% of cases, Dbania from eastern Sudan 4% , Dinka from southern Sudan 2%. This study showed that results of sickling test always agree with results of haemoglobin electrophoresis. The mean values of RBCs, Hb, PCV values are decreased in sickle cell disease, in sickle cell trait mean values of Hb, PCV slightly decreased and mean RBCs are normal, while red cell indices are normal in both sickle cell disease and trait.