Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-6bb9c88b65-t28k2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-07-25T05:57:28.183Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 75 - Blood Disorders

from Section 11 - Diseases of Body Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 June 2025

By
Imelda Bates  and
Edeghonghon Olayemi
Edited by
David Mabey ,
Martin W. Weber ,
Moffat Nyirenda ,
Dorothy Yeboah-Manu ,
Jackson Orem ,
Laura Benjamin ,
Michael Marks  and
Nicholas A. Feasey
David Mabey
Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Martin W. Weber
Affiliation:
World Health Organization
Moffat Nyirenda
Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Dorothy Yeboah-Manu
Affiliation:
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana
Jackson Orem
Affiliation:
Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala
Laura Benjamin
Affiliation:
University College London
Michael Marks
Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Nicholas A. Feasey
Affiliation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Get access

Summary

Anaemia is the world’s second leading cause of disability and one of the most common preventable causes of death. In sub-Saharan Africa, over half of all children and pregnant women are anaemic (Friedman et al. 2005) and the high burden of HIV infection in many African countries has exacerbated the severity and prevalence of anaemia. Even mild anaemia negatively affects health, productivity, development and immune function. In pregnancy, mild and moderate anaemia is associated with increased rates of stillbirths and low birth weight babies, and in children it causes stunting and impaired intellectual development (WHO 2001).

Information

Type
Chapter
Information
Principles of Medicine in Africa , pp. 763 - 780
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Acquah, ME, Hsing, AW, McGuire, V et al. (2019). Presentation and survival of multiple myeloma patients in Ghana: a review of 169 cases. Ghana Med J. 53(1):52–58. doi: 10.4314/gmj.v53i1.8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asamoah-Akuoko, L, Hassall, OW, Bates, I et al. (2017). Blood donors’ perceptions, motivators and deterrents in Sub-Saharan Africa – a scoping review of evidence. Br J Haematol 177(6): 864–877 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14588CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Asare, EV, Wilson, I, Benneh-Akwasi Kuma, AA et al. (2018). Burden of sickle cell disease in Ghana: the Korle-Bu experience. Adv Hematol. 2018:6161270. doi: 10.1155/2018/6161270. PMID: 30631363; PMCID: PMC6304501.Google ScholarPubMed
Asare, EV, Olayemi, E, Boafor, T et al. (2019). Third trimester and early postpartum period of pregnancy have the greatest risk for ACS in women with SCD. Am J Hematol 94(12):E328–E331. doi: 10.1002/ajh.25643. PMID: 31571271.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bates, I, Chapotera, GK, McKew, S et al. (2008). Maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: the contribution of ineffective blood transfusion services. Brit J Obs Gynae 115:1331–1339.10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01866.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bazuaye, N, Nwogoh, B, Ikponmwen, D et al. (2014). First successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for a sickle cell disease patient in a low resource country (Nigeria): a case report. Ann Transplant 19:210–213. doi: 10.12659/AOT.890248. PMID: 24792997.Google Scholar
Bedu-Addo, GK, Bates, I (2002). Causes of massive tropical splenomegaly in Ghana. Lancet 360:449–454.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boafor, TK, Olayemi, E, Galadanci, N et al. (2016). Pregnancy outcomes in women with sickle-cell disease in low and high income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Obstet Gynae 123(5):691–698. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.13786. Epub 2015 Dec 15. PMID: 26667608.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boele, M, Calis, J, Phiri, K et al. (2010). Pathophysiological mechanisms of severe anaemia in Malawian children. PLoS ONE 5:e12589.10.1371/journal.pone.0012589CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brandow AM, Carroll CP, Creary S et al (2020). American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for sickle cell disease: management of acute and chronic pain. Blood Adv (12): 2656–2701.Google Scholar
British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) (2003). Guidelines for the management of the acute painful crisis in sickle cell disease. Br J Haematol 120:744–752.10.1046/j.1365-2141.2003.04193.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Calis, JC, Phiri, KS, Faragher, EB et al. (2008). Severe anemia in Malawian children. N Engl J Med 358:888–899.10.1056/NEJMoa072727CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Durosinmi, MA, Faluyi, JO, Oyekunle, AA et al. (2008). The use of imatinib mesylate in Nigerians with chronic myeloid leukemia. Cell Ther Transpl 2: 15.Google Scholar
English, M, Ahmed, M, Ngando, C et al. (2002). Blood transfusion for severe anaemia in children in a Kenyan hospital. Lancet 359:494–495.10.1016/S0140-6736(02)07666-3CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fakunle, EE, Shokunbi, WA, Shittu, OB (2007). Incidence of factor FVIIIC deficiency in live male infants undergoing circumcision in South West, Nigeria. Haemophilia 13:567–569.10.1111/j.1365-2516.2007.01549.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fleming, AE, de Silva, PS (2003). Haematological diseases in the tropics. In Cook, GC, Zumla, A (eds) Manson’s Tropical Diseases. 21st ed., 169–243. London: W.B. Saunders.Google Scholar
Friedman, JF, Kanzaria, HK, McGarvey, ST (2005). Human schistosomiasis and anemia: the relationship and potential mechanisms. Trends Parasitol 21: 386–392.10.1016/j.pt.2005.06.006CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hassall, O, Maitland, K, Pole, L et al. (2009). Bacterial contamination of pediatric whole blood transfusions in a Kenyan hospital. Transfusion 49: 2594–2598.10.1111/j.1537-2995.2009.02344.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Khan, KS, Wojdyla, D, Say, L et al. (2006). WHO analysis of causes of maternal death: a systematic review. Lancet 367: 1066–1074.10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68397-9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lulseged, S (1993). Haemorrhagic disease of the newborn: a review of 127 cases. Ann Trop Paediatr 13:331–336.10.1080/02724936.1993.11747666CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mahlangu, JN (2009). Haemophilia care in South Africa: 2004–2007 look back. Haemophilia 15:135–141.10.1111/j.1365-2516.2008.01807.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maitland, K, Pamba, A, English, M et al. (2005). Pre-transfusion management of children with severe malarial anaemia: a randomised controlled trial of intravascular volume expansion. Br J Haematol 128: 393–400.10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.05312.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maitland K for the TRACT trial group (2019). Transfusion volume for children with severe anemia in Africa. N Engl J Med 381:420–431.10.1056/NEJMoa1900100CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martin-Peprah, R, Bates, I, Bedu-Addo, G et al. (2006). Investigation of familial segregation of hyperreactive malarial splenomegaly in Kumasi, Ghana. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 100:68–73.10.1016/j.trstmh.2005.07.006CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mbanya, D, Binam, F, Kaptue, L (2001). Transfusion outcome in a resource-limited setting of Cameroon: a five-year evaluation. Int J Infect Dis 5:70–73.10.1016/S1201-9712(01)90028-1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Menendez, C, Fleming, AF, Alonso, PL (2000). Malaria related anaemia. Parasitol Today 16:469–476.10.1016/S0169-4758(00)01774-9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mitchell, C, Hall, G, Clarke, RT (2009). Acute leukaemia in children: diagnosis and management. Br Med J 338:b2285.Google Scholar
Mosha, D, Poulsen, A, Reyburn, H et al. (2009). Quality of paediatric blood transfusions in two district hospitals in Tanzania: a cross-sectional hospital based study. BMC Pediatr 9:51.10.1186/1471-2431-9-51CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mukwala, EC, Banda, J, Siziya, S et al. (1989). Alpha thalassaemia in Zambian newborn. Clin Laborat Haematol 11:1–6.10.1111/j.1365-2257.1989.tb00167.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Omoti, CE, Halim, NK (2005). Adult lymphomas in Edo state, Niger Delta region of Nigeria – clinicopathological profile of 205 cases. Clin Lab Haematol 27:302–306.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Omoti, CE, Omuemu, CE (2007). Multiple myeloma: a ten year study of survival and therapy in a developing nation. J Pak Med Assoc 57:341–344.Google Scholar
Oppong, SA, Asare, EV, Olayemi, E et al. (2019). Multidisciplinary care results in similar maternal and perinatal mortality rates for women with and without SCD in a low-resource setting. Am J Hematol 94(2):223–230. doi: 10.1002/ajh.25356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ord RL, Lobo CA (2015). Human babesiosis: Pathogens, prevalence, diagnosis and treatment. Curr Clin Microbiol Rep (4):173–181.Google Scholar
Payne JN, Gee BE (2024). Management of acute sickle cell disease pain. Pediatr Rev 45(1):26–38.Google Scholar
Phiri, K, Calis, JCJ, Siyasiya, A et al. (2009). New cut off levels for ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor for the assessment of iron deficiency in children in a high infection pressure area. J Clin Path 62: 1103–1106.10.1136/jcp.2009.066498CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roberts, LN (2021). Rebalanced hemostasis in liver disease: a misunderstood coagulopathy. Hematology. American Society of Hematology. Education Program 2021(1):485–491.10.1182/hematology.2021000283CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rubinstein, R, Kolia, F, Novitzky, N (2000).Prevalence of Factor V Leiden in three ethnic groups of patients with deep vein thrombosis in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Eur J Haematol 65:78–79.10.1034/j.1600-0609.2000.9c168.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stoffel, NU, Zeder, C, Brittenham, GM et al. (2020). Iron absorption from supplements is greater with alternate day than with consecutive day dosing in iron-deficient anemic women. Haematologica 105(5):1232–1239. doi.org/10.3324/haematol.2019.220830CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tezanos, PM, Ortiz, Z (2004). Haemophilia in the developing world: successes, frustrations and opportunities. Haemophilia 10:S14–19.10.1111/j.1365-2516.2004.00986.xCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Violi, F, Corazza, GR, Caldwell, SH et al. (2019). PRO-LIVER Collaborative Group. Incidence and recurrence of portal vein thrombosis in cirrhotic patients. Thromb Haemost 119(3):496–499. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1676981.Google Scholar
von Meijenfeldt, FA, van den Boom, BP, Adelmeijer, J et al. (2021). Prophylactic fresh frozen plasma and platelet transfusion have a prothrombotic effect in patients with liver disease. J Thromb Haemost 19(3):664–676. doi:10.1111/jth.15185.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ware, RE, Davis, BR, Schultz, WH et al. (2016). Hydroxycarbamide versus chronic transfusion for maintenance of transcranial doppler flow velocities in children with sickle cell anaemia-TCD With Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (TWiTCH): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. Lancet 387(10019):661–670.10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01041-7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weatherall, DJ (2008). Genetic variation and susceptibility to infection: the red cell and malaria. Br J Haematol 141:276–286.10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07085.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
White, NJ (2018). Anaemia and malaria. Malar J 17:371. doi.org/10.1186/s12936-018-2509-9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
WHO (2001). The prevention and management of severe anaemia in children in malaria-endemic regions of Africa. Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
WHO (2016). Global Status Report on Blood Safety and Availability (2016) https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/254987/9789241565431-eng.pdf?sequence=1.Google Scholar
WHO (2018). Fact sheet: blood safety and availability. www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blood-safety-and-availability.Google Scholar
WHO/NHD (2001). Iron deficiency anaemia: assessment, prevention and control. Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
Williams, TN, Uyoga, S, Macharia, A et al. (2009). Bacteraemia in Kenyan children with sickle-cell anaemia: a retrospective cohort and case-control study. Lancet 374:1364–1370.10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61374-XCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wun T (2001). The role of inflammation and leukocytes in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease. Haemoglobinopathy. Hematology 5(5):403–412.Google Scholar

Accessibility standard: Unknown

Accessibility compliance for the PDF of this book is currently unknown and may be updated in the future.

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge-org.demo.remotlog.com is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×