Sickle cell anaemia: diagnosis and care in a Nigerian health centre

A study of 156 cases of SS and SC disease diagnosed at Igbo-Ora between 1962 and 1975 is described. In 1971 haemoglobin electrophoresis was introduced for all previously untested patients with a PCV of less than 30 and/or a clinical suspicion of SS or SC. Following this, the total known cases of SS and SC disease rose from nine to 156 in four years. The new cases diagnosed within one year of birth rose from zero before 1971 to 10 in 1974. This is 25% of all expected cases. The percentage of cases diagnosed within one calendar year of detecting anaemia (PCV less than 30) rose from 0 to 94%. It is concluded that haemoglobin electrophoresis is of great value in improving early diagnosis in peripheral clinics. Ways of further improving the early diagnosis and management of SS and SC disease in peripheral clinics is discussed.