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Student screening for inherited blood disorders in Bahrain
S Al-Arrayed1, N Hafadh, S Amin
1Genetics Unit, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain.
Insights
A screening of 5685 Bahraini students revealed high prevalence of genetic blood disorders like sickle-cell trait and G6PD deficiency. Health education and carrier screening are crucial for reducing incidence.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Inherited hemoglobin disorders, including sickle-cell disease and thalassemias, along with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, are prevalent in Bahrain and surrounding regions.
- A national initiative aimed to assess the prevalence of these genetic blood disorders among young individuals in Bahrain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of inherited hemoglobin disorders and G6PD deficiency among 11th-grade students in Bahrain.
- To raise awareness about genetic blood disorders within the young Bahraini population.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 5685 11th-grade students across 38 schools.
- Utilized hemoglobin electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography, blood grouping, and G6PD deficiency testing.
- Conducted lectures and distributed informational materials on genetic blood disorders.
Main Results:
- Identified a prevalence of 1.2% for sickle-cell disease and 13.8% for sickle-cell trait.
- Detected 0.09% for beta-thalassemia and 2.9% for beta-thalassemia trait.
- Found 23.2% prevalence of G6PD deficiency and 1.9% for G6PD deficiency carriers.
Conclusions:
- Health education, carrier screening, and premarital counseling are essential strategies for reducing the incidence of genetic blood disorders.
- Implementing these measures can lead to significant financial savings and considerable social and health benefits.
Abstract:
In Bahrain and neighbouring countries inherited disorders of haemoglobin, i.e. sickle-cell disease, thalassaemias and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, are common. As part of the National Student Screening Project to determine the prevalence of genetic blood disorders and raise awareness among young Bahrainis, we screened 11th-grade students from 38 schools (5685 students), organized lectures and distributed information about these disorders. Haemoglobin electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography, blood grouping and G6PD deficiency testing were performed. Prevalences were: 1.2% sickle-cell disease; 13.8% sickle-cell trait; 0.09% beta-thalassaemia; 2.9% beta-thalassaemia trait; 23.2% G6PD deficiency; 1.9% G6PD deficiency carrier. Health education, carrier screening and premarital counselling remain the best ways to reduce disease incidence with potentially significant financial savings and social and health benefits.
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