TITLE:
Neonatal Screening and Follow-Up of Sickle Cell Disease in the Neonatology Department of Yopougon/Beago
AUTHORS:
Berthe Evelyne Lasme-Guillao, Roseline N’Guessan-Sika, Tanoh-Kassi François Eboua, Jonas Gnahore Gnaoré, Aurianne Kossonou, Gustave Koffi
KEYWORDS:
Screening, Neonatology Sickle Cell
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.15 No.6,
November
21,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Systematic neonatal screening for sickle cell disease has not yet established in Côte d’Ivoire. The objective of this study was to contribute to the implementation of a neonatal screening program for sickle cell disease in order to reduce sickle cell-related morbidity. Methods: We conducted a prospective descriptive and analytical study of 974 newborns hospitalized in the neonatal unit at Béago Hospital. Results: 52% of the parents of the newborns worked in the informal sector. 46.5% were Mandé and Gour people originating from the north of the country. Maternal electrophoresis was normal in 60% of cases, with abnormal forms being: AS (14%), SC (4%), and SSFA2 (2%). The father’s status was unknown in 87% of cases, normal in 4%, with abnormal forms being: AS (6%), SSFA2 (2%), and SC (1%). Family consanguinity was found in 12% of parents. Seventy-seven percent of newborns were born at term. Confirmed hemoglobin electrophoresis of newborns was normal: AA in 67.4%, AS in 15.5%, AC in 7.7%, SSFA2 in 6.4%, SC in 2%, and SAFA2 in 1%. The mortality rate was 9%. During the follow-up in the first three months of life, 57% of newborns presented with anemia. Newborns with an AS electrophoretic status had a significantly higher risk of death (p = 0.0002) than those with normal electrophoresis. Those with AS, SAFA2, and SSFA2 electrophoretic statuses had a higher risk of presenting with neonatal bacterial infection (p Conclusion: Sickle cell disease constitutes a real public health problem that must mobilize the combined efforts of policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public to make neonatal screening accessible to all newborns.