[Epidemiologic, clinical and hematologic profile of K Woolwich hemoglobinopathies in Ivory Coast]

From 1968 to 1992, the hematology laboratory at the University Hospital Center of Abidjan performed 197705 hemoglobin electrophoreses. Isoelectric focusing using the Basset technique allowed identification of hemoglobin K Woolwich. This abnormality of hemoglobin structure (beta 132 (H10) Lys ... Glu) was detected in 130 cases, i.e. 0.065%. It was homozygous in 3 cases, heterozygous in 110 cases, and associated with other hematologic abnormalities in 17 cases. The abnormality was asymptomatic and did not cause any hematological disturbance. Due to autosomal transmission, hemoglobin K Woolwich is a trait of Akan populations (75% of cases) in which it is dominant in the Attie subgroup. Given its ethnic specificity, this abnormality is of anthropological interest.