Foetal haemoglobin, erythrocytes containing foetal haemoglobin, and hematological features in congolese patients with sickle cell anaemia.

High HbF levels and F cells are correlated with reduced morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SCD). This paper was designed to determine the HbF and F cells levels in Congolese sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients in order to determine their impact on the expression of SCD. Population and Method.

Neonatal screening for sickle cell anaemia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: experience from a pioneer project on 31 204 newborns.

Background: Despite the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in Africa, a neonatal screening programme is available in only a few countries in the sub-Saharan region.

Aim: To describe our experience of a pioneer study on 31,304 newborns screened systematically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Methods: The prevalence of haemoglobinopathies was determined by a thin-layer isoelectric focusing method on dry filter-paper samples.