Incidence of Sickle Cell Disease and Other Hemoglobinopathies in Burkina Faso: Results of a Five-Year Systematic Neonatal Screening (2015-2019) in Four Urban Hospitals

Abstract

Hemoglobinopathies, mainly Sickle cell disease (SCD), are the most common monogenic disorders in Africa. In Burkina Faso, data on these diseases are scarce, mainly hospital-based in Ouagadougou and its surroundings. In order to assess the incidence and allelic frequencies of the main hemoglobinopathies in newborns in Burkina Faso, we conducted a cross-sectional study from 2015 to 2019 in four hospitals. The study included babies of both sexes, regardless of ethnic group and parents' hemoglobin status. It was a newborn screening and hemoglobin variants were detected using isoelectric focusing on cord blood samples and confirmed using hemoglobin electrophoresis by high-performance liquid chromatography. The proportions and cumulative incidences of the different hemoglobinopathies were computed. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law was applied to calculate genotypic and allelic frequencies. The significant level was p < 0.05. Out of 11,337 newborns included, 47.8% were males and 60.2% were from Bobo-Dioulasso. Abnormal hemoglobin was found in 27.1%, representing a cumulative incidence of 1:4 newborns. The incidence of SCD was 1.9% (1:53 newborns) with 27.9% of homozygous SS. Homozygous CC and compound heterozygous Cβ-Thalassemia accounted for 1.1%.

Current Status of Newborn Bloodspot Screening Worldwide 2024: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Activities (2020–2023)

“…The overall goal was to reduce morbidity and mortality from SCD [ 1483 ]. A more recent study between 2015 and 2019 focused on NBS in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, another ethnic area of Burkina Faso, finding a SCD incidence of 1 in 53 births [ 1484 ]. Both studies strongly encouraged the development of a national NBS program for SCD.…”

“…The overall goal was to reduce morbidity and mortality from SCD[1483]. A more recent study between 2015 and 2019 focused on NBS in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, another ethnic area of Burkina Faso, finding a SCD incidence of 1 in 53 births[1484]. Both studies strongly encouraged the development of a national NBS program for SCD.•Burundi-Aside from a study of a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test conducted in the Great Lakes region in Central Africa from July 2004 until July 2006, there is little information available about NBS in Burundi.…”