The prevalence of haemoglobin in Northern Kordofan and White Nile tribes

Abstract

internationally, haemoglobin (Hb) S is the most common Hb variant and is reported most frequently in people of African and Arab descents. This abnormality is also common among Sudanese, particularly in the Western regions. Objectives: study aimed to detect the ethnic and geographical distribution of S gene in Northern Kordofan and White Nile states. Materials and methods: in a prospective study, sickle Hb was evaluated in freshly obtained venous blood samples from 59 families with S gene. Participants were recruited from Elobied and Kosti Teaching Hospitals, in the period between June and July 2012. Interviews and questionnaires were designed to collect demographic: age, sex, ethnicity (tribe), family history and clinical data. Blood morphology and CAE were used to diagnose all participants and the sickle test was also used as a confirmatory test. Results: Hb S was detected in thirteen and ten tribes of Northern Kordofan and White Nile states respectively. Of the Northern Kordofan area, Darhamid tribe stands out (34.4%) followed by Hawazma (18.8.1%), Bargoo (9.4%), Manasra (6%) and Bartey (6%). Other tribes (Falata, Shiwahat, Bedaria, Noba, Selamia, Barno, Mosabat and Mima) are occasionally to have S Hb. Ten different tribes of White Nile state were detected with Hb S. These were Hosa (26%), Rawashda (18.5%), Shankhab (11%), Bagara (11%), Rizagat (7%), Galaleen (7%) and Habania (7%). Other tribes (Masaleet, Banihalba and Gimia had low frequency of Hb S.