RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Estimated Prevalence of Sickle Cell in Northern Haiti
JF American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
JO Clin Lab Sci
FD American Society of Chemistry and Laboratory Science
SP 79
OP 83
DO 10.29074/ascls.23.2.79
VO 23
IS 2
A1 Tim R. Randolph
YR 2010
UL http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/23/2/79.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of sickle hemoglobin in northern Haiti.DESIGN: Sickle cell testing occurred from 2002-2009. Blood samples from 1035 subjects were collected for diagnostic purposes, de-identified, and made available for the study.SETTING: Bethesda Medical Center and Eben-Ezer Clinic in northern Haiti.SUBJECTS: Study subjects included prenatal patients, their companions, clinic staff and volunteers. All subjects were Haitian and selected to most closely represent healthy patients present at the clinic. De-identification of the blood samples precluded the need for informed consent.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Each subject was tested for sickle hemoglobin using a standard hemoglobin solubility test and results were recorded as either positive or negative.RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of sickle hemoglobin was 15.1% with a 95% confidence interval of 12.2-18%.CONCLUSIONS: These prevalence rates validate the clinical significance of sickle cell disorder, help guide clinical decisions, and suggest the need to develop intervention programs among the people of northern Haiti.ABBREVIATIONS: SS = Homozygous for the sickle cell gene; AS = Heterozygous for the sickle cell gene; SCD = Sickle cell disease (homozygous); SCT = Sickle cell trait (heterozygous).