Abstract
BACKGROUND
Sickle cell anaemia is prevalent in several countries including Sudan. To create awareness among people, study of incidence of the disease is important.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was a descriptive study conducted to determine the sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait frequency in Sudanese patients referred to Heglig hospital in Southern Kordofan state (Sudan) between November 2008 to February 2009. One hundred (100) patients participated in the study and informed consent was obtained from them. Venous blood was collected and investigated for sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait, a complete blood count (CBC), sickling test and haemoglobin electrophoresis were carried out. Fully automated haematological analyser (Sysmex Kx 21N), Electrophoresis tank and power pack were used for analysis and statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer program version 13 was used for data processing.
RESULTS
The results showed that percentage of sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease was 45% and 18% respectively. Haemoglobin level, total erythrocyte and packed cell volume of the sickle cell disease patients were (7.03), (2.68) and (22.52), respectively. There were no significant differences in individuals with sickle cell disease and normal individuals with regard to mean cell haemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin respectively. The total leukocytes and platelets count were significantly elevated in sickle cell disease when compared with normal individuals.
CONCLUSION
Sickle cell anaemia is highly prevalent in the studied area which is most likely due to the consanguineous marriages.