Dr Hèzouwè Magnang: “2% of Togolese develop the severe form of sickle cell disease”

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Extract from the article: “2% of Togolese suffer from the severe form of sickle cell disease and 13% carry the disease gene, i.e. 15% of the Togolese population”, said Dr Hèzouwè Magnang, Director of the Centre national de recherche et de soins aux drépanocytaires (CNRSD).

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“2% of Togolese suffer from the severe form of sickle cell disease and 13% carry the disease gene, i.e. 15% of the Togolese population”, said Dr Hèzouwè Magnang, Director of the Centre national de recherche et de soins aux drépanocytaires (CNRSD).

In an interview with ATOP's correspondent on Wednesday June 18 in Lomé, Dr Magnang noted that, based on data from neonatal screening organized in February 2024 in ten hospitals in Lomé and Dapaong, around 2% of babies have severe forms of sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic disorder caused by the presence of an abnormal hemoglobin called HbS in place of the normal hemoglobin called HbA, explained the hematologist. An adult subject suffering from the severe form, he said, will present clinical signs of the disease, notably bone pain. “This pain can occur in children, but also abdominal pain,” he explains.

At birth, children show no symptoms. However, from the age of 6 months, they begin to develop complications: painful vaso-occlusive crises, acute thoracic syndromes, hemolysis and worsening anemia.

This worsening of the anemia, continues Dr Magnang, is the main factor responsible for stroke in children.

Sickle-cell anemia is no longer a fatality

The head of the CNRSD declares that sickle-cell anemia is no longer considered a fatality, as it no longer determines the fate of the patient, even in low-income countries. “When diagnosed early and with regular medical follow-up, it is possible to lead an ordinary, healthy life,” reassured the specialist. The CNRSD is a national reference center where sickle cell patients can obtain all the information they need about the disease. Dr. Magnang affirms that patients can receive appropriate care and support to better manage their pathology. Currently, over 5,000 sickle cell patients are registered at the CNRSD, and an average of 400 sickle cell patients are seen there every month.

For Dr Magnang, it is possible to prevent sickle cell disease if you identify your hemoglobin type before choosing your future husband or wife. He recommended hemoglobin electrophoresis analysis for future spouses to find out their hemoglobin status.

World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated every June 19. This year's theme is “Sickle cell disease, our fight”.

Source : ATOP