CLINICAL UTILITY OF HEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL MARKERS IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE SCREENING AND CARE IN INDIAN TRIBAL POPULATIONS
Dr. Atul Desai, Dr. Kavita Desai, Jayesh C. Shah and Danish Javed
ABSTRACT
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a life-threatening hemoglobinopathy highly prevalent among tribal populations in India, necessitating early diagnosis and structured, ongoing clinical monitoring. This study presents an integrative screening and management framework for SCD, combining classical diagnostic methods—including the sickling test, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA confirmation—with comprehensive hematological and biochemical investigations. These investigations include complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), reticulocyte count, serum bilirubin, electrolytes, creatinine, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation analysis, folic acid, and D-dimer levels. These parameters support assessment of anemia severity, inflammatory activity, hemolysis rate, renal involvement, endothelial function, and thrombotic risk. Implementation of this protocol enables timely intervention, informed treatment decisions, and improved prognosis. This study emphasizes the significance of such a diagnostic panel in supporting public health strategies such as the Government of India's "Sickle Cell Elimination Programme 2047," advocating its incorporation into routine tribal healthcare systems to ensure equitable and effective disease control.
Keywords: Sickle Cell Disease, HPLC, CBC, CRP, Reticulocyte Count, MTHFR, D-Dimer, Tribal Health, India, SCD Elimination Programme 2047.
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