Author/Authors :
Al Hosani, H. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Salah, M. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Osman, H.M. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Farag, H.M. Ministry of Health - Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, United Arab Emirates , Anvery, S.M. Central and Al Jazira Hospitals - Department of Haematology, United Arab Emirates
Abstract :
In January 2002, a pilot programme of neonatal screening for sickle cell disease was launched in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 3 districts of Abu Dhabi emirate.This paper reports the incidence of sickle cell diseases, other haemoglobinopathies and haemoglobinopathy carriers over a 12-month period using high performance liquid chromatography as a primary screening method.The overall incidence of sickle cell disease among 22 200 screened neonates was 0.04% (0.07% for UAE citizens and 0.02% for non-UAE citizens).The incidence of sickle cell trait was 1.1% overall (1.5% for UAE citizens and 0.8% for non-UAE citizens). Universal neonatal screening for sickle cell haemoglobin at the national level should be considered.
