Neonatal Screening for genetic blood diseases

Previous neonatal screening in 1986 showed that the incidence of sickle cell disease [SCD] is 2.1% and [SCT] is l1%. Since 1984 the Ministry of Health [MOH] instituted a prevention campaign. The incidence has been falling gradually since then. To update the national data on the incidence of SCD among the newborns and to compare it with the previously available data. All Bahraini newborns delivered at the [MOH] maternity hospitals for a period of three months from February to April 2002 were targeted. Cord blood samples were analyzed by HPLC. Two thousand newborns constituted the study population five were excluded. Eighteen were found to be affected with SCD with an incidence of 0.9%. SCT was found in 325 [16.3%]. G6PD deficiency was found in 18% of males, and 10% of females. Parental age distribution and consanguinity were documented. Bahrain has for the first time recorded less than 1% babies with SCD

Epidemics in Bahrain from 1893 to 1924 an historical perspective part I of 3 parts

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands located mid-way in the Arabian Gulf. The Gulf Region, including Bahrain, has suffered several epidemics. The earliest recorded was a severe epidemic of cholera in 1 893. In the period between 1893 and 1924, epidemics took a heavy toll of 24205 lives. The authors chronicled the various epidemics recorded in Bahrain from 1893 to 1924. These include outbreaks of cholera, gastroenteritis, influenza, malaria, meningococcal meningitis, mumps, plague, poliomyelitis, smallpox, typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever and viral meningitis. The authors also trace the development of public health services in Bahrain, during the period 1893 - 1924

Epidemics in Bahrain from 1925 to 1965 an historical perspective part 11 of 3 parts

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands located in the Arabian Gulf. In the second in a three part series, the authors describe the epidemics that occurred in Bahrain between 1925-1965, as well as the changing role of health care services on the islands. Medical services in Bahrain began in 1900 with two non-governmental hospitals viz the American Mission Hospital and Victoria Memorial Hospital. The latter was run by a Government of India doctor, who was also the Quarantine Medical Officer. The Awali Hospital who built in 1935. The first Government of Bahrain doctor [Dr. A. Bhandarkar] was appointed in 1925 and served at the Muharraq Dispensary. The Public Health Department was started in 1951 with Dr. Grant as Quarantine Medical Officer. During this period, epidemics of mumps, smallpox, typhoid fever, influenza, and gastroenteritis were recorded. The two leading diseases that were rampant in this period were malaria and trachoma

Epidemics in Bahrain from 1966 to 2003. an historical perspective [part III]

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands located in the Arabian Gulf. In the final article in a three part series, the authors enumerate epidemics between 1966 and 2003. During this period, the Public Health Department continued to expand and refine its various sections. Immunization programmes have been a major part of the preventive health services. Epidemics of poliomyelitis, cholera, typhoid fever, paratyphoid fever, meningococcal meningitis, measles, and aseptic meningitis were reported. The rapid influx of workers into Bahrain in the mid 1970s caused a massive transfer of enteropathogens and resulted in an upsurge of enteric diseases in 1978