Tariq Helal Ashour.
Sickle cell trait; prevalence among primary school children of Makkah city.
Professional Med J Jan ;11(2):197-202.

Aims and Objectives: To detect the prevalence of sickle cell trait among primary schoolchildren (boys and girls) in Makkah city. Patients &Methods: 3980 Saudi Children (2104 boys and 1876 girls) at the age of 6-12 years were selected from various primary schools of Makkah city at random. After completion of a questionnaire, 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each child and subjected to cellulose acetate gel electrophoresis at alkaline pH. Abnormal results were confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis at acidic pH. Results: Sixty children (36 boys and 24 girls) were found to have sickle cell trait, which gives prevalence of 1.71% in boys and 1.28% in girls. High levels of HbF were detected in 45 boys (2.14%) and 40 girls (2.13%).

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