Title: Neonatal screening for sickle cell disease, caveats about potential cure with innovative medical technology and the relevant evidence-based health education

Authors: E. William Ebomoyi

Addresses: Department of Health Studies, College of Health Sciences, Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois 60628, USA

Abstract: This project assessed the techniques for neonatal screening and the clinical management of sickle cell disease (SCD). Caution about bone marrow transplant (BMT) and gene therapy (GT) was provided. The global distribution of SCD was illustrated. The agonising pain associated with the signs and symptoms of SCD were analysed as the rationale for adoption of bone marrow transplant and gene therapy to cure SCD. Renowned medical institutions worldwide which have the state-of-the-art infrastructure and expertise to perform BMT and GT were outlined. The need for clinicians to make maximum effort to protect patients against graft versus host disease (GVHD) was reiterated. The transfer of this innovative medical technology will reduce the impact of SCD as a global public health problem. Evidenced-based public health approach was suggested to implement trait counselling research and conduct education to eliminate alleles of SCD.

Keywords: bone marrow transplant; BMT; gene therapy; neonatal screening; global distribution; disease distribution; sickle cell disease; graft versus host disease; GVHD; evidenced-based interventions; public health interventions; medical technology; evidence-based health education; clinical management; pain; trait counselling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMEI.2013.051664

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2013 Vol.5 No.1, pp.46 - 59

Published online: 28 Jan 2014 *

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