kground: Sickle-cell disease (SCD) is a global public
health problem occurring more commonly among people
in the tropical and sub-tropical sub-Saharan regions where
malaria is endemic. In this present study, we have investigated the
haemoglobin F level (HBF) of 69 sickle cell disease subjects and 30
age and gender-matched apparently healthy controls.
Methods: This case–control study was conducted among
homozygous sickle cell patients attending the sickle cell clinics of
Specialist Hospital Sokoto. About 3 millilitres of venous blood
sample was collected from each participant into EDTA
anticoagulated tubes. Estimation of haemoglobin F levels was carried
out using Betke’s method. The Packed Cell Volume (haematocrit)
was determined using the Hawksley Haematospin 1300 micro
haematocrit centrifuge.
Results: The foetal haemoglobin level of 69 sickle cell disease
patients (subjects) and 30 apparently healthy individual with
genotype AA (control) was determined. The mean HbF and packed
cell volume was significantly higher among the 69 sickle cell disease
subjects (2.99 ±5.16) compared to controls (0.733 ±0.700) (p =
0.01). The packed cell volume was significantly higher among control
participants (29.267±6.175) compared to the sickle cell disease
subjects (24.57±6.99). Haemoglobin F level was compared based on
the gender of the sickle cell disease subjects. The Haemoglobin F
level although higher among male subjects (3.0469 ± 5.06510)
compared to females (2.8836 ± 5.52), the difference however was
not statistically significant (p =0.626). The haemoglobin F level was
compared based of the age groups of the sickle cell disease subjects.
The Haemoglobin F level appear to declining as age advances from
0.6-5yrs (3.26± 4.92) through 6-10yrs (3.01± 5.58) and 11-16yrs
(2.34± 4.70).We observed a significant negative correlation between
age and haemoglobin F levels among sickle cell disease subjects (r=-
7.52, 0.001).
Conclusion: In conclusion, we have observed that the HbF level is
higher in sickle cell disease subjects compared to control
participants with haemoglobin AA, that the haemoglobin F level is
higher among male subjects compared to females, that the
haemoglobin F level appears to decline as age advances and that a
significant negative correlation exist between age and haemoglobin
F levels among sickle cell disease subjects. We recommend that
estimation of HbF level be carried out in conjunction with
haemoglobin electrophoresis in the diagnosis, clinical management
and in the determination of the clinical course of sickle cell disease.
There is need to build the capacity in resource poor countries to
optimize the diagnosis of sickle cell disease and other
haemoglobinopathies. A national neonatal screen programme should
be set up by the Nigerian Government to facilitate the early diagnosis
and effective management of children with sickle cell disease.