International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2018  |  Volume : 7  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 98--103

Fetal hemoglobin gene expression in patients with sickle cell disease in North Central Nigeria


Amos Dangana1, Idris Abdullahi Nasir2, Jessy Thomas Medugu3, Felix O Emelike4, BO Oluwatayo5, Abubakar Shehu Haruna6 
1 Department of Medical Laboratory Services, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
2 Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
3 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
4 Department of Medical Laboratory Science (Haematology Unit), Ambrose Alli University, Edo State, Nigeria
5 Department of Haematology, College of Veterinary and Medical Laboratory Science, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
6 Department of Family Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Mr. Idris Abdullahi Nasir
Department of Medical Laboratory Services, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, PMB 228 Gwagwalada, FCT Abuja
Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) plays a dominant role in ameliorating morbidity and mortality associated with sickle cell disease (SCD). OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the distribution pattern of HbF and total Hb concentration among 75 participants with homozygous sickle cell trait (HbSHbS) as test cases and 71 with homozygous normal trait (HbAHbA) as controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-anticoagulated blood samples were collected from all participants. They were tested for HbF and HbA fractions using high-performance liquid chromatography, while total Hb concentration was determined by cynomethemoglobin technique. RESULTS: Participants with HbSHbS genotype showed mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) of HbF levels of 6.5 ± 0.8%, HbA1 showed mean ± SEM of 2.6 ± 0.3%, and HbA2 showed mean ± SEM of 4.9 ± 0.1%. Those with HbAHbA (control participants) genotype showed mean ± SEM of HbF levels of 0.5 ± 0.04%, HbA1 showed mean ± SEM of 87.3 ± 0.4%, and HbA2 showed mean ± SEM of 3.2 ± 0.1%, while the mean ± SEM Hb concentration of test cases was 6.5 ± 0.16 g/dl and that of controls was 12.32 ± 0.13 g/dl. The total Hb concentration of sickle cell patients was significantly lower than that of nonsickle cell patients. There was a positive correlation of Hb concentration (g/dl) with HbSHbS gene expression. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study revealed that the lesser episodes of sickle cell crisis, the lower the HbF expression and higher the total Hb concentration. Hence, it is recommended that the determination of HbF, HbA1, and HbA2 levels be considered in conjunction with other routine complete blood count and hematology tests in the diagnosis and clinical management of SCD.


How to cite this article:
Dangana A, Nasir IA, Medugu JT, Emelike FO, Oluwatayo B O, Haruna AS. Fetal hemoglobin gene expression in patients with sickle cell disease in North Central Nigeria.Int J Health Allied Sci 2018;7:98-103


How to cite this URL:
Dangana A, Nasir IA, Medugu JT, Emelike FO, Oluwatayo B O, Haruna AS. Fetal hemoglobin gene expression in patients with sickle cell disease in North Central Nigeria. Int J Health Allied Sci [serial online] 2018 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];7:98-103
Available from: https://www.ijhas.in/article.asp?issn=2278-344X;year=2018;volume=7;issue=2;spage=98;epage=103;aulast=Dangana;type=0