Neonatal Screening for genetic blood diseases

Previous neonatal screening in 1986 showed that the incidence of sickle cell disease [SCD] is 2.1% and [SCT] is l1%. Since 1984 the Ministry of Health [MOH] instituted a prevention campaign. The incidence has been falling gradually since then. To update the national data on the incidence of SCD among the newborns and to compare it with the previously available data. All Bahraini newborns delivered at the [MOH] maternity hospitals for a period of three months from February to April 2002 were targeted. Cord blood samples were analyzed by HPLC. Two thousand newborns constituted the study population five were excluded. Eighteen were found to be affected with SCD with an incidence of 0.9%. SCT was found in 325 [16.3%]. G6PD deficiency was found in 18% of males, and 10% of females. Parental age distribution and consanguinity were documented. Bahrain has for the first time recorded less than 1% babies with SCD