HOMOZYGOUS DELETION ALFA-THALASSEMIA AND HEREDITARY PERSISTENCE OF FETAL HEMOGLOBIN, TWO GENETIC FACTORS PREDICTIVE THE REDUCTION OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY DURING PREGNANCY IN SICKLE CELL PATIENTS . A REPORT FROM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Authors: MIKOBI Tite Minga , LUKUSA Prosper Tshilobo 
Published: July 2019

FHb and alpha-thal are two genetic factors that modulate the clinical expression of sickle cell disease.

Objective: to determine the beneficial role of FHb and alpha-thal on fetal and maternal morbidity during pregnancy in sickle cell patients.

This is a documentary and analytical study that included 960 deliveries of homozygous sickle cell patients. The deliveries were divided into three genotype subgroups: Hb-SS / alpha-thal, HbSS / HPFH and HbSS. The diagnosis of SCD and the quantification of FHb were performed by the capillary electrophoresis technique. The diagnosis of SCD has been confirmed by the molecular test. The diagnosis of alpha-thal was made by the multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique. Sickle cell pregnancies were followed according to the protocol of care in force in our service. The variables of interest were: hematological variables, sickle cell crises during pregnancy, maternal and fetal complications. Statistical analyzes were performed with SPSS 20.0 software. Means and standard deviations were compared with the Student's t and Annova tests. The value of p <0.05 was considered the significance level.

The Hb-SS / alpha-thal and HbSS / HPFH genotypes were observed in 101 and 121 women respectively. Otherwise 758 women had the HbSS genotype. The morbidity related to sickle cell complications in the mother and fetus, were less frequent in the Hb-SS / alpha-thal and HbSS / HPFH groups. The statistical differences were statistically significant.

This study showed a significant protective effect of alpa-thal and HPFH during pregnancy in sickle-cell pregnant women.

FHb and alpha-thal are two genetic factors that modulate the clinical expression of sickle cell disease.

Objective: to determine the beneficial role of FHb and alpha-thal on fetal and maternal morbidity during pregnancy in sickle cell patients.

This is a documentary and analytical study that included 960 deliveries of homozygous sickle cell patients. The deliveries were divided into three genotype subgroups: Hb-SS / alpha-thal, HbSS / HPFH and HbSS. The diagnosis of SCD and the quantification of FHb were performed by the capillary electrophoresis technique. The diagnosis of SCD has been confirmed by the molecular test. The diagnosis of alpha-thal was made by the multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique. Sickle cell pregnancies were followed according to the protocol of care in force in our service. The variables of interest were: hematological variables, sickle cell crises during pregnancy, maternal and fetal complications. Statistical analyzes were performed with SPSS 20.0 software. Means and standard deviations were compared with the Student's t and Annova tests. The value of p <0.05 was considered the significance level.

The Hb-SS / alpha-thal and HbSS / HPFH genotypes were observed in 101 and 121 women respectively. Otherwise 758 women had the HbSS genotype. The morbidity related to sickle cell complications in the mother and fetus, were less frequent in the Hb-SS / alpha-thal and HbSS / HPFH groups. The statistical differences were statistically significant.

This study showed a significant protective effect of alpa-thal and HPFH during pregnancy in sickle-cell pregnant women.