SICKLE CELL TRAIT
PREVALENCE AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN OF MAKKAH CITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29309/TPMJ/2004.11.02.5237Keywords:
Sickle cell trait, sickle cell disease, sickle cell gene, Prevalence, Incidence, Anemia, HbF, HbS, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, School childrenAbstract
Aims and Objectives: To detect the prevalence of sickle
cell trait among primary school children(boys and girls) in Makkah city. Patients & Methods: 3980 Saudi
Children (2104 boys and 1876 girls) at the age of 6-12 years were selected from various primary schools of
Makkah city at random. After completion of a questionnaire, 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each
child and subjected to cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis at alkaline pH. Abnormal results were confirmed by
agarose gel electrophoresis at acidic pH. Results: Sixty children (36 boys and 24 girls) were found to have sickle
cell trait, which gives prevalence of 1.71% in boys and 1.28% in girls. High levels of HbF were detected in 45
boys (2.14%) and 40 girls (2.13%).
