FETAL HEMOGLOBIN LEVELS IN NIGERIANS WITH SICKLE-CELL-ANEMIA - A REVISITATION

Foetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels were estimated by the alkali denaturat ion method in 73 Nigerians with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). Subjects we re studied during their asymptomatic periods and were divided into thr ee groups based on HbF levels. Group I: HbF levels <10%; group II: HbF levels greater-than-or-equal-to 10% but <15%; group III: HbF levels g reater-than-or-equal-to 15%. Mean crises per year, number of organ (sy stem) complications, degree of anaemia, as well as total severity scor es derived from these three parameters did not vary significantly in t he three groups. Similarly, HbF levels failed to manifest significant correlation between either frequency of crises, occurrence of complica tions, degree of anaemia or the derived total severity scores. It is p robable that in Nigerian SCA subjects whose HbF concentrations are mos tly <20%, other variables apart from HbF may influence the severity of their disease.