Haemoglobin Electrophoretic Patterns among Pregnant Women in Rivers State, Nigeria: A Nine-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Haemoglobinopathies are among the most common genetic disorders worldwide, inherited as autosomal recessive disorders from healthy-carrier parents. Pregnancy in patients with SCD is associated with an increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the haemoglobin electrophoretic patterns among pregnant women attending antenatal care at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of antenatal care patients seen at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Rivers State. Rivers State is located in the south-south region of Nigeria. We reviewed the haemoglobin electrophoretic patterns among pregnant women from 1st January 2015 – 31st December 2023 conducted in our facility. A total of 16,605 pregnant women seen during the study period were included in the study. The results were retrieved from the antenatal booking registers. Haemoglobin electrophoretic patterns were performed by the alkaline cellulose acetate electrophoretic machines (Helena). The data were computed into Microsoft Excel 2016 spreadsheet and analyzed with the IBM SPSS Version 26. The results were collected, collated and analyzed using simple percentages Results: The median age was 31.61 years, with age range of 15-58 years. Total number of participants were 16605.  The age group of 26 to 35 years comprised 67.2% of the participants while participants aged more than 45 years comprised 0.4%. HbAS. HbAS (sickle cell trait) had a prevalence of 21% while HbSS had a prevalence of 0.3%. Conclusion: This study revealed the uptake and the importance of a community based haemoglobin screening for pregnant women. There is a high prevalence of abnormal Hb genotypes amongst pregnant women when compared with previous studies in our locality and thus reveals a possible reproductive challenge in the future. We therefor advocate for adequate enlightenment, premarital counselling and education on the pattern of inheritance of this disease among the local populace. Furthermore, pregnancy in sickle cell anaemia should be managed in a tertiary facility with haematologist input