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Sickle cell anaemia in Pakistan.
The British Journal of Clinical Practice
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Sickle cell disease, previously unreported in Pakistan, is now confirmed with eight cases found. Further population screening is crucial to determine the true incidence of this genetic blood disorder.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Sickle cell gene is prevalent in Equatorial Africa, the US negro population, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, Southern India, and Iran.
- Human migration patterns suggest potential introduction to Pakistan from the Middle East, Iran, and India.
- No documented cases of sickle cell disease in Pakistan were previously reported, despite migration.
- Lack of population screening has left the true incidence of sickle cell disease in Pakistan unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and incidence of sickle cell disease in Pakistan.
- To determine if sickle cell disease exists in the Pakistani population, contrary to previous assumptions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case collection over a two-year period within a specific department.
- Identification of eight cases presenting with sickle cell disease.
Main Results:
- Eight cases of sickle cell disease were identified over a two-year period in the study department.
- This finding contradicts the notion that sickle cell disease is absent in Pakistan.
Conclusions:
- Sickle cell disease is not non-existent in Pakistan.
- Electrophoretic screening is essential to ascertain the actual prevalence of sickle cell disease and trait in the Pakistani population.