Sickle cell disease in areas of immigration of high-risk populations: a low cost and reproducible method of screening in northern Italy

摘要

BackgroundFrom 2005 to 2010, we observed a 10-fold increase of newly diagnosed sickle cell disease in children in the province of Modena (northern Italy). The median age at diagnosis was 24 months. Since these children are too old for optimal disease management, earlier detection of the disease is needed for prophylaxis and comprehensive care before the occurrence of clinical manifestations.