1
|
Therrell BL, Padilla CD, Borrajo GJC, Khneisser I, Schielen PCJI, Knight-Madden J, Malherbe HL, Kase M. Current Status of Newborn Bloodspot Screening Worldwide 2024: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Activities (2020-2023). Int J Neonatal Screen 2024; 10:38. [PMID: 38920845 PMCID: PMC11203842 DOI: 10.3390/ijns10020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) began in the early 1960s based on the work of Dr. Robert "Bob" Guthrie in Buffalo, NY, USA. His development of a screening test for phenylketonuria on blood absorbed onto a special filter paper and transported to a remote testing laboratory began it all. Expansion of NBS to large numbers of asymptomatic congenital conditions flourishes in many settings while it has not yet been realized in others. The need for NBS as an efficient and effective public health prevention strategy that contributes to lowered morbidity and mortality wherever it is sustained is well known in the medical field but not necessarily by political policy makers. Acknowledging the value of national NBS reports published in 2007, the authors collaborated to create a worldwide NBS update in 2015. In a continuing attempt to review the progress of NBS globally, and to move towards a more harmonized and equitable screening system, we have updated our 2015 report with information available at the beginning of 2024. Reports on sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, missing in 2015, have been included. Tables popular in the previous report have been updated with an eye towards harmonized comparisons. To emphasize areas needing attention globally, we have used regional tables containing similar listings of conditions screened, numbers of screening laboratories, and time at which specimen collection is recommended. Discussions are limited to bloodspot screening.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bradford L. Therrell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
- National Newborn Screening and Global Resource Center, Austin, TX 78759, USA
| | - Carmencita D. Padilla
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila 1000, Philippines;
| | - Gustavo J. C. Borrajo
- Detección de Errores Congénitos—Fundación Bioquímica Argentina, La Plata 1908, Argentina;
| | - Issam Khneisser
- Jacques LOISELET Genetic and Genomic Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut 1104 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Peter C. J. I. Schielen
- Office of the International Society for Neonatal Screening, Reigerskamp 273, 3607 HP Maarssen, The Netherlands;
| | - Jennifer Knight-Madden
- Caribbean Institute for Health Research—Sickle Cell Unit, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica;
| | - Helen L. Malherbe
- Centre for Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa;
- Rare Diseases South Africa NPC, The Station Office, Bryanston, Sandton 2021, South Africa
| | - Marika Kase
- Strategic Initiatives Reproductive Health, Revvity, PL10, 10101 Turku, Finland;
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Twum S, Fosu K, Felder RA, Sarpong KAN. Bridging the gaps in newborn screening programmes: Challenges and opportunities to detect haemoglobinopathies in Africa. Afr J Lab Med 2023; 12:2225. [PMID: 38116518 PMCID: PMC10729498 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Haemoglobinopathies, including sickle cell disease and β-thalassaemia, are monogenic disorders with a relatively higher prevalence among malaria-endemic areas in Africa. Despite this prevalence, most African countries lack the necessary resources for diagnosing and managing these debilitating conditions. Aim This study provides a critical review of newborn screening for detecting haemoglobinopathies in Africa, highlighting challenges and proposing strategies for improved diagnosis and management. Methods A literature search on haemoglobinopathies in Africa was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect, using specific keywords and Boolean operators, including articles published from January 1981 to December 2022. Results The data show that sickle cell disease is prevalent among populations in Central and West Africa; however, β-thalassaemia is prevalent among people in the northern parts of Africa. Newborn screening pilot initiatives for haemoglobinopathies were being implemented in Angola, Nigeria, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Benin. The cost of testing, lack of sufficient and accessible medical records, and inadequacy in healthcare infrastructure pose significant challenges in bridging the gaps in newborn screening. Furthermore, the stigmatisation and lack of awareness of haemoglobinopathies and access to newborn screening programmes pose additional challenges. Conclusion This review highlights the challenges associated with haemoglobinopathy testing, effective strategies for mitigating these challenges, and future perspectives for expanding efforts toward detecting and managing these disorders across Africa. Providing affordable diagnostic tools, mobile clinics, government subsidies, education campaigns, and the implementation of electronic medical records systems could help bridge the gaps in newborn screening in Africa. What this study adds The study presents a comprehensive view of newborn screening of haemoglobinopathies in Africa, provides a detailed outline of the challenges faced by newborn screening for haemoglobinopathies in Africa, and offers strategies for better diagnosis and care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seth Twum
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kwadwo Fosu
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Robin A Felder
- Department of Pathology, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Kwabena A N Sarpong
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Helegbe GK, Wemakor A, Ameade EPK, Anabire NG, Anaba F, Bautista JM, Zorn BG. Co-Occurrence of G6PD Deficiency and SCT among Pregnant Women Exposed to Infectious Diseases. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5085. [PMID: 37568487 PMCID: PMC10419962 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12155085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, women have an increased relative risk of exposure to infectious diseases. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of the co-occurrence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) and sickle cell trait (SCT) and the impact on anemia outcomes among pregnant women exposed to frequent infectious diseases. Over a six-year period (March 2013 to October 2019), 8473 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANCs) at major referral hospitals in Northern Ghana were recruited and diagnosed for common infectious diseases (malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV), G6PDd, and SCT. The prevalence of all the infections and anemia did not differ between women with and without G6PDd (χ2 < 3.6, p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Regression analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of SCT in pregnant women with G6PDd than those without G6PDd (AOR = 1.58; p < 0.011). The interaction between malaria and SCT was observed to be associated with anemia outcomes among the G6PDd women (F-statistic = 10.9, p < 0.001). Our findings show that anemia is a common condition among G6PDd women attending ANCs in northern Ghana, and its outcome is impacted by malaria and SCT. This warrants further studies to understand the impact of antimalarial treatment and the blood transfusion outcomes in G6PDd/SCT pregnant women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gideon Kofi Helegbe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1883, Ghana;
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 54, Ghana
| | - Anthony Wemakor
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1883, Ghana
| | - Evans Paul Kwame Ameade
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Herbal Medicine, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1883, Ghana
| | - Nsoh Godwin Anabire
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale P.O. Box TL 1883, Ghana;
- West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), Department of Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra P.O. Box LG 54, Ghana
| | - Frank Anaba
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, University for Development Studies, Nyankpala P.O. Box TL 1883, Ghana
| | - Jose M. Bautista
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Bruno Gonzalez Zorn
- Department of Animal Health, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Menzato F, Bosa L, Sifna A, Da Silva L, Gasperoni E, Martella M, Mustik A, Da Dalt L, Reggiani G, Munaretto V, Liotta G, Riccardi F, Colombatti R. Point-of-care testing allows successful simultaneous screening of sickle cell disease, HIV, and tuberculosis for households in rural Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2022; 69:e30009. [PMID: 36161764 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Diagnosis of noncommunicable genetic diseases like sickle cell disease (SCD) and communicable diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or tuberculosis (TB) is often difficult in rural areas of Africa due to the lack of infrastructures, trained staff, or capacity to involve families living in remote areas. The availability of point-of-care (POC) tests for the above diseases offers the opportunity to build joint programs to tackle all conditions. We report successful simultaneous screening of SCD, HIV, and TB utilizing POC tests in 898 subjects in Fanhe, in rural Guinea-Bissau. Adherence was 100% and all diagnosed subjects were enrolled in care programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Federica Menzato
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Luca Bosa
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Armando Sifna
- Hospital Raoul Follereau (HRF), Centro de Referencia Nacional para Tuberculose, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Luisa Da Silva
- Hospital Raoul Follereau (HRF), Centro de Referencia Nacional para Tuberculose, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Elena Gasperoni
- Aid Health and Development Onlus (AHEAD), Rome, Italy.,San Marino Hospital, San Marino, San Marino
| | - Maddalena Martella
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Alfa Mustik
- Non-profit organization "Amici della Guinea-Bissau", Milan, Italy
| | - Liviana Da Dalt
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Giulia Reggiani
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Vania Munaretto
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Liotta
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio Riccardi
- Aid Health and Development Onlus (AHEAD), Rome, Italy.,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Raffaella Colombatti
- Department of Woman's and Child's Health, Università di Padova, Padua, Italy.,Aid Health and Development Onlus (AHEAD), Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|