prevalence of sickle cell syndrome in south of Iran

ABSTRACT

Sickle cell disease is a major health problem in many western countries. Several hemoglobinopathies are prevalent in the Middle East and, like other countries in the region, Iran has also a large number of patients with hemoglobinopathies including thalassemia. The frequency of the sickle cell gene, however, is not yet determined in this part of the world. To determine the frequency of the sickle cell gene in South of Iran. Using electrophoresis on cellulose acetate plates at alkaline pH, column chromatography and sickling test, 522 males and 522 females who attended our center for thalassemia carrier screening, were also tested for having sickle cell trait/disease. Out of 1044 participants, 15 [1.437%] were heterozygous and one [0.096%] was homozygous for the sickle cell gene, giving a gene frequency of 0.0081 [95% CI 0.0043-0.0120]. It seems that the case of sickle cell disease, though important in Iran, is far less serious than thalassemia