Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) and its variants are genetic disorders resulting from the presence of a mutated form of hemoglobin, hemoglobin S (HBS). In this study we want to profile various types of hemoglobins and their relative percentage in sickle cell cases. Also, we will analyze RBC indices such as Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW-CV.
Methods: We analyzed blood from 150 patients suspected to have Sickle cell hemoglobinopathies and subjected it to Sickling screening test. All samples irrespective of the sickle cell screening test results will be subjected to HPLC to separate constituent hemoglobins and CBC analysis was done to check RBC indices.
Results: In sickle cell trait (SCT) patients, there is a significantly higher level of HbA2 and HbS and significantly lower level of HbA. In sickle cell disease patients, there were significantly higher levels of HbA2, HbF and HbS and significantly lower levels of HbA. Both sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease patients had significantly lower levels of hematocrits, MCH and higher RDW CV.
Conclusions: While analyzing HPLC patterns, appearance of HbS, low levels of HbA and high levels of HbF and HbA2 should raise a suspicion for presence of Sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. There was a statistical difference in levels of Hb, HCT, MCH and RDW-CV between cases and controls. High index of suspicion should be maintained when these parameters are on the lower side, especially in populations who are prone to have sickle cell disorders and should be subjected to HPLC.
