Frequency Distribution of Haemoglobin Electrophoretic Pattern in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

About 85% of sickle cell disorders and over 70% of all affected births occur in Africa. The aim of this study was to describe the haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern among pregnant women in Sokoto. Blood samples collected from three hundred and eighty-five (385) consenting pregnant women at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto were used for haemoglobin electrophoresis using standard haematology technique between June and October, 2015. Out of 385 pregnant women screened, 316 were of HbAA (82.1%), 18 were of HbAC (4.7%) and 51 were of HbAS (13.2%). Religion, ethnicity and age had no relationship with the distribution of haemoglobin electrophoretic pattern (p˃ 0.05). There was low prevalence of haemoglobinopathies probably due to reduced consanguineous marriage, adequate information on genetic counseling on haemoglobinopathies and pre-marital screening. There were no association between haemoglobin electrophoretic patterns with religion, ethnicity and age.