Author/Authors :
Keikhaei, Bijan Research Center for Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy - Health Research Institute - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences ,Ahvaz , Moradi-Choghakabodi, Parastoo Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Rahim, Fakher Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Pedram, Mohammad Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Yousefi, Homayoun Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Zandian, Khodamorad Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Hosseini nejad, Khojasteh Department of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Samavat, Ashram Genetics Office - Disease Management Centre - Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: Early diagnosis and initiation of prophylactic penicillin and pneumococcal vaccine may reduce
the risk of sickle cell complications that is a common hemoglobin disorder in Southwest Iran. This study aimed
at determining the incidence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and other Hemoglobinopathies in newborn being at
risk based on ethnic origin.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive epidemiologic study, between September 2013 and September
2015, 8363 newborn blood samples were tested in four maternity units from Ahvaz, Khoramshahr, Sosangerd
and Dezful. Complete cell count and cellulose acetate electrophoresis at pH 8.4 were performed on each blood
sample. Parent's clinical status was also checked for more information. Presence of an abnormal band in the
EDTA treated samples were further confirmed by citrate agar gel electrophoresis and automated high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results were analyzed statistically by the One-Way ANOVA
analysis.
Results: Among 8363 screened samples, 118 (1.41 %) samples were heterozygous for Hb S, and four (0.047%)
for Hb C; none of newborns were Hb SS homozygotes. The incidence of silent and alpha thalassemia minor
based on RBC indices was nearly 10%.
Conclusion: Present findings indicated the high quality and considerable impact of conducted screening
program starting in 2007 at significantly decreasing the prevalence of SCD among newborns born between 2013
and 2015. The results also showed that the neonatal screening for SCD was not weighed to add as a new
program in national health network.
