Newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo: An update on the prevalence of the disease

Abstract

Objectives: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy. It affects about 2% of newborns in some sub-Saharan African countries. In most patients, the incidence of complications can be reduced if screening takes place at birth. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of SCD among a population of newborns in Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Material and Methods: This prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted among newborns in five referral maternity hospitals in Lubumbashi city, in the DRC. Newborns’ blood samples were examined by capillary electrophoresis. Results: Of a total of 588 newborns screened for SCD, 369 (68.59%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 64.48%–72.49%) newborns were Hemoglobin AA (HbAA); 141 (26.21%; 95% CI: 22.54%–30.14%) newborns were HbAS; 27 (5.01%; 95% CI: 3.33%–7.22%) newborns were HbSS, and 1 (0.19%; 95% CI: 0.00%–1.03%) newborn was Hemoglobin AC (HbAC). Conclusion: The present study determined the prevalence of SCD during neonatal screening in Lubumbashi. The conduct of premarital counseling is essential to reduce the prevalence of this hemoglobinopathy which is high (5.01% of HbSS). Systematic newborn screening in all maternity wards in the country would help to assess the prevalence at the national level and improve the quality of life of SCD children.