Haematological Malignancies in Bahrain

To provide an estimate of the prevalence and shift of different types of haematological malignancies over 10 years time period from 1986 to 1995. Relevant laboratory based data of all cases of haematological malignancies in Bahrainis diagnosed between January 1986 to December 1995. Results expressed as age specific and age adjusted incidence rates per 100,000 population per year during the periods 1986 to 1990 and 1991 to 1995. Observed prevalence of haematological malignancies increased from 3.3 in 1986 to 9.8 in 1995 per 100,000 population. In children the peak incidence was 8.7/100,000 population in less than 5 years of age. In adults the peak incidence was 40/100,000 in the 65-75 years age group. The lowest incidence of 1.8/100,000 was in the 20-30 years age group. An abrupt increase in prevalence of acute lymphatic leukaemias was observed in 1991 [post Gulf War]. A three times increase in prevalence rate at the end of 10 year [1986-1995] is alarming. This may be due to an increase in detection rate, though the effect of other factors such as the Gulf war cannot be completely ignored. However this study will now provide base data to observe shift in occurrence over time

Haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti K antibodies in a kell negative mother

A very rare case of haemolytic disease of the newborn due to anti k antibodies is reported. The mother of this newborn belonged to an extremely rare phenotype where all Kell locus gene products were absent thus making her capable of producing antibodies against all Kell blood group antigens. This extremely rare situation makes it impossible to get compatible blood of the same blood group

Haemoglobin SH disease in a Bahraini women detected at pregnancy

A rare combination of haemoglobin-S and haemoglobin-H disease was observed in a Bahraini woman during her pregnancy. She had presented with anaemia not responding to usual haematenics. The haematological and genetic studies suggested haemoglobin-H most likely to be due to non deletional type of alpha thalassemia, which is different from deletional variants present in other parts of the world

Hereditary elliptocytosis in Bahrain

Hereditary elliptocytosis an abnormality of red blood cell may provide a selective advantage to protect against malaria. We screened 2000 Bahraini blood donors and found 42 cases of hereditary elliptocytosis. Clinical and haematological aspects were analysed is 100 consecutively diagnosed cases of hereditary ellipocytosis among Bahraini patients. Their ages ranged from 46 hours to 75 years. Female preponderance was observed in the adult age group. Majority of patients presented with anaemia. Low haemoglobin and low red cell indices were noticed in all age groups. However the condition was found to exist in three forms as clinically silent, disease with transient haemolysis, and as a chronic haemolytic process. Thus a peripheral smear examination to screen for elliptocytosis is warranted in all anaemic Bahraini patients

Alterations in Von Willebrand factor in diabetic vascular disease

Study was undertaken on 82 patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes to characterise the role of von Willebrand factor [VWF], a glycoprotein synthesized and stored in vascular endothelium, in the vascular complications associated with the disease. An elevated level of this factor was observed only in those patients with macrovascular complications. This is due to endothelial damage in diabetics, related to the duration of the disease. Absence of a raised level of VWF in our diabetics with microvascular disease may suggest the role of other influencing factors such as geographical and or racial differences in the clinical features and pathogenesis of diabetes

Haemoglobins-D disease in a Bahraini child

Four month old Bahraini infant presented with severe haemolytic anaemia and was found to be double heterozygous for haemoglobins S and D. This condition has resulted in a severe clinical expression at a very early age unlike sickle cell disease in Bahraini children