Abstract
In Yemen, the prevalence of sickle cell trait and β-thalassemia trait are high. The aim of this premarital program is to identify sickle cell and thalassemia carrier couples in Yemen before completing marriages proposal, in order to prevent affected birth. This can be achieved by applying a low-cost premarital screening program using simple blood tests compatible with the limited health resources of the country. If microcytosis or positive sickle cell is found in both or one partner has microcytosis and the other has positive sickle cell, so their children at high risk of having sickle cell or/and thalassemia diseases. Carrier couples will be referred to genetic counseling. The outcomes of this preventive program are predicted to decrease the incidence of affected birth and reduce the health burden of these disorders. The success of this program also requires governmental, educational and religious supports.
Highlights
Premarital screening and genetic counseling (PMSGC) programs for prevention of blood genetic diseases have been implemented in many populations with high prevalence rates of inherited blood disorders worldwide since the 1970s.(1,2) They aim to identify hemoglobinopathies carriers, in order to evaluate the risk of having children with severe anemia
Counseling is proved to be an acceptable and effective process to reduce the number of affected birth.[6,13,14,15] This program consists of premarital screening and genetic counseling that is designed to produce a general infrastructure for accessible prevention of Sickle cell disorder (SCD) and thalassemia before completing marriages proposal
Target groups in the country are required to be prepared for premarital screening which can be preformed by giving classes about SCD and thalassemia for young people in high schools, universities, sports clubs and military
Summary
Premarital screening and genetic counseling (PMSGC) programs for prevention of blood genetic diseases have been implemented in many populations with high prevalence rates of inherited blood disorders worldwide since the 1970s.(1,2) They aim to identify hemoglobinopathies carriers, in order to evaluate the risk of having children with severe anemia. The compound heterozygous sickle cell/b thalassemia causes a severe anemia which is common in populations with high prevalence rates of both SCD and b-thalassemia.[4]. In developed countries where advanced technologies are available advances in carrier diagnosis using hematological examination followed by DNA investigation has made population possible screening and prenatal diagnosis during pregnancy This approach, in conjunction with genetic counseling, has lead to a steady decrease in the birth of affected homozygote in those countries, and raised the knowledge of the risk of being a carrier. For example in Saudi Arabia, complete blood count (CBC), sickle cell test and Hb-electrophoresis were used in the premarital screening leading to more than 70% reduction of the prevalence of b-thalassemia during the period of 2004 to 2009.(7)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
