Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
Newborn screening initiatives for sickle cell disease in Africa
Obiageli E Nnodu1,2, Chinwe Onyinye Okeke2, Hezekiah Alkali Isa1,2
1Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Insights
Newborn screening for sickle cell disease (SCD) in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial. Implementing universal NBS and comprehensive care can significantly reduce SCD-related mortality in infants.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent genetic blood disorder in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), causing significant morbidity and mortality.
- Newborn screening (NBS) followed by evidence-based interventions is a proven strategy to save lives of infants with SCD.
- SSA bears 75% of the global SCD burden but lacks universal NBS implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the policy framework for NBS in SSA.
- To analyze the methods, processes, barriers, and enablers of NBS implementation.
- To assess enrollment in comprehensive care for infants with SCD.
Main Methods:
- Policy analysis of NBS frameworks in SSA.
- Review of NBS implementation strategies, challenges, and facilitators.
- Examination of pathways to comprehensive care for diagnosed infants.
Main Results:
- Analysis of existing policy landscapes for NBS in SSA.
- Identification of key barriers (e.g., infrastructure, funding) and enablers (e.g., political will, community engagement) for NBS.
- Understanding the critical link between NBS and enrollment in life-saving comprehensive care.
Conclusions:
- Establishing universal NBS for SCD in SSA requires robust policy frameworks and addressing implementation barriers.
- Successful NBS programs must be integrated with accessible, comprehensive care to ensure optimal outcomes for infants with SCD.
- Policy and programmatic efforts are essential to reduce the high burden of SCD in sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder in high prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that leads to high morbidity and early mortality. Newborn screening (NBS) with evidence-based interventions saves lives of individuals with SCD. SSA accounts for 75% of the global prevalence of SCD, but it has not been able to implement universal NBS for SCD. This article examines policy framework for NBS in SSA; the methods, processes, barriers, and enablers of NBS; and enrollment in comprehensive care to make available the evidence-based interventions that caregivers need to access in order to save the lives of babies with SCD.
