Epidemiologic profile of hemoglobinopathies in Benin.

Background: Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the world with the birth of approximately 300,000 newborns screened each year. In 2009, the World Health Organization ranked the fight against sickle cell disease among the priorities for the Africa regions. The best way to prevent this incurable disease remains, on one hand systematic screening at birth, and on the other the proscription of risky union between heterozygous subjects.