Newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo: an update
Emmanuel Tebandite Kasai,
Béatrice Gulbis,
Justin Kadima Ntukamunda,
Vincent Bours,
Salomon Batina Agasa,
Roland Marini Djang’eing’a,
François Boemer,
Gedeon Katenga Bosunga,
Nestor Ngbonda Dauly,
La Joie Sokoni Vutseme,
Bosco Boso Mokili,
Jean Pierre Alworong’a Opara
Affiliations
Emmanuel Tebandite Kasai
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Béatrice Gulbis
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
Justin Kadima Ntukamunda
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Vincent Bours
Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Human Genetics, CHU of Liège, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
Salomon Batina Agasa
Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Roland Marini Djang’eing’a
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
François Boemer
Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Human Genetics, CHU of Liège, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
Gedeon Katenga Bosunga
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kisangani University Clinics, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Nestor Ngbonda Dauly
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
La Joie Sokoni Vutseme
Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social, Administrative and Political Sciences, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Bosco Boso Mokili
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jean Pierre Alworong’a Opara
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Kisangani, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
ABSTRACTBackground Neonatal screening is the first action necessary to identify children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and thus ensure their care. Using rapid tests to give an immediate result to families is a new resilient approach of great interest. These two aspects are essential for establishing an adequate health policy for this disease. This study was undertaken in Kisangani to update the current incidence of neonatal SCD.Methods Heel prick blood samples of 1432 babies born from different racial groups of parents living in Kisangani were collected at birth and screened using a point of care test, i.e. the HemoTypeSCTM.Results The incidence at birth was 2.2% (n = 31; 95% CI: [1.5%−3.1%]) for HbSS homozygosity and 21% (n = 303; 95% CI: [19%−23%]) for HbAS heterozygosity. Compared to a previous study in 2010; the incidence at the birth of the HbSS form has doubled, while that of the heterozygous form HbAS remained almost unchanged. The inter-ethnic incidence of HbSS among the five top-represented ethnic groups was significant (<0.001).Conclusion The prevalence of homozygote form has doubled compared to the 0.96% reported in 2010. Setting up a neonatal screening program and an awareness unit is necessary to assess the need for care services correctly.
