Newborn screening for sickle cell disease in ghana: 270

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2005-08

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Pediatric Research

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Screening of newborns for SCD allows early initiation of prophylactic therapy, parental education, and comprehensive management, resulting in reduced mortality. Since April 1993, a demonstration project to develop and implement a program of newborn screening for SCD has been conducted in Kumasi (Ghana) by the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other institutions in Ghana. Methodology: Babies are screened at birth or at well-baby visits within days or a few weeks after birth. Mothers are asked to come for results within 4 weeks and failing that, an extensive tracking system is used to deliver results to the homes of families with babies with possible-SCD (P-SCD). Tracking relies solely on information obtained from mothers at the time of screening. The goal is to enroll P-SCD babies into the sickle cell clinic by eight weeks of age. Pregnant women, parents with children and the general public are regularly educated about the screening program. Children with SCD receive comprehensive care through the Sickle Cell Clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Results: From February 13, 1995 (when newborn testing was started) to December 31, 2004, a total of 177,283 babies were screened through 8 public health institutions and 11 private clinics in Kumasi and one maternity centre in Tikrom, a nearby, rural community. A total of 3,346 (1.9%) babies were identified as having P-SCD with the following Hb phenotypes by isoelectric focusing: 1,847 (1.04%) FS; 1,478 (0.83%) FSC; 6 (0.003%) FSA; and 15 (0.008%) Other. Screening and Tracking Results: Feb. 1995 – Dec. 2004 Conclusions: Screening and follow-up of newborns for sickle cell disease is feasible in a developing country in Africa. Extra effort in tracking is necessary to ensure that babies with disease are found early and referred for medical management.

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Ohene-Frimpong, K., Bonney, A., Tetteh, H. and Nkrumah, F.K. (2005) 270 Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Ghana. Pediatric Research, 58, 401. http://dx.doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00299

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