Newborn screening for hemoglobinopathies

Newborn screening for hemoglobinopathies

Early treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) is crucial to reduce morbidity and mortality in affected infants. In some countries, the combined approach of early diagnosis of SCD by newborn screening and comprehensive healthcare have contributed to the fact that > 90% of the children with SCD will reach adulthood. Based on national hemoglobin electrophoresis results data we estimate that each year at least 35 and 6 newborns with respectively SCD type HbSS and HbSC are born in Suriname. Although SCD is prevalent, currently no newborn screening program has been established to detect SCD and other hemoglobinopathies (HbP) in Suriname. The objectives of this project are to study the feasibility of newborn screening for HbP and comprehensive SCD healthcare in Suriname. The project was carried out between August 2015 and July 2016 in five birth clinics in Suriname. During this period we were able to successfully provide over 5000 newborns with newborn screening for HbP, and develop and implement national pediatric guidelines for treatment of HbP. However, insufficient national funds prevent final implementation of a newborn screening programma. Follow-up is being looked into. 

This project was initiated by the APCS together with the clinical laboratory department of the Academic Hospital Paramaribo, and carried out in collaboration with Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, ‘s Lands hospitaal, Medische Zending, Diakonessenhuis and st. Vincentius Ziekenhuis. This project was funded by UTSN Twinning.