Sickle cell disease patients in two London trusts: Genotyping including RH variants.

Background: All SCD patients need extended RBC antigen typing (by serology or genotyping) for provision of extended RH, K matched blood and to guide RBC selection in those with complex transfusion requirements. Genotyping can also identify RH variants which can cause sensitisation even when extended RH phenotypically matched blood is provided and alloantibodies associated with RH variants can cause HTRs.

Objectives: To review the use of RBC genotyping in SCD patients at two London trusts (ICHNT, LNWH) with a focus on RH variants.

Spontaneous heterotropic pregnancy in sickle cell disease with survival of the abdominal pregnancy.

A case is presented of a spontaneously conceived heterotopic pregnancy in a 38-year-old Haemoglobin SS woman, with intrauterine foetal demise and survival of the extra-uterine pregnancy, which was an abdominal pregnancy. The diagnosis was not made until delivery. This report should create the awareness of the possibility of abdominal or heterotopic pregnancy in spontaneous cycles, particularly in patients with recurrent severe anaemia in pregnancy, whether or not they have haemoglobinopathies.

Occlusal features of sickle cell anaemia patients in Lagos, Nigeria.

One hundred and four sickle cell anaemia patients aged 10-45 years and attending the out patients' clinic of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital as part of a routine check-up were seen. They were in a steady state of health. By means of a structured questionnaire the Biodata of each consecutive eligible patient was obtained and physical examination was carried out.

Outcome of holistic care in Nigerian patients with sickle cell anaemia.

Holistic care of patients with sickle cell anaemia (HbSS) was carried out in a dedicated support group and clinic in Lagos. This paper examines the outcome of this initiative using mortality, hospital admission and blood transfusion rates from inception in April 1988 to December 1995. Patients with sickle cell disorder and their families were admitted to the Sickle Cell Club and its associated Sickle Cell Clinic.

Acute sickle cell syndromes in Nigerian adults.

The pattern of acute illness was determined in 102 adolescents and adults with sickle cell anaemia who presented to the emergency unit of a Lagos hospital. The patients had a mean age of 20.5 years (SD 13.