An Estimation of Haemoglobin Variants Among Patients Attending A Tertiary Hospital In South West Nigeria

Background: Globally, hemoglobinopathies, which are genetic diseases of hemoglobin production, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. African communities make up a sizable portion of the population that is susceptible to a variety of erythrocyte genetic and homological illnesses. Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and spectrum of hemoglobin variants among patients attending a tertiary hospital in South West Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study research was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo State Southwest Nigeria. Respondents were recruited from the hospital department clinics and tested at Department of Haematology, Faculty of basic medical science. Blood will be drawn via venipuncture into tubes that had been treated with the anticoagulant ethylene diamine tetracetic acid (EDTA) Results: The study show the frequency and gender distribution of different forms of haemoglobin (Hb) among the subjects; Hb AA 264; HbAS 60; HbAC 6; HbSC 8 and HbSS 12. Of the 350 subjects studied, 106 were males, while 244 were females. Among the male subjects, 85 were HbAA, 12 were HbAS; 2 were HbAC; 3 were HbSC and 4 were HbSS. Among the female subjects, 179 were HbAA, 48 were HbAS; 4 were HbAC; 5 were HbSC and 8 were HbSS. The study shows the frequency of the fetal hemoglobin among the Hb SS patients in the study based on age range. 50% of the participants with fetal hemoglobin were between 10-15 years, 25% were between 16-20 years, 8.3% were between 21-25 years, 8.4% were between 31-35 years and 8.3 % were between 36-40 years Conclusion: The study showed increased prevalence of various hemoglobin variants. Awareness should be created at religious centers, schools on the importance of genotype testing. As a preventative precaution. We advise the implementation of mutation identification and carrier screening.