Study of haemoglobin S percentage and haematological parameters in sickle cell trait.

A total of 101 individuals who showed AS pattern on haemoglobin electrophoresis were included in this study and various haematological investigations were carried out on them. Of these, 79 cases were grouped as AS patients. Twenty two healthy relatives of sickle anemia patients were grouped as AS controls. Twenty AA controls were also included in this study. Haemoglobin S (HbS) and hemoglobin A (HbA) quantitation was carried out. The frequency distribution of HbS percentage showed that maximum subjects had HbS levels above 33%. A female predominance was seen in subjects of sickle cell trait. Haemoglobin levels and total red cell counts of AS patients were found to be significantly lower than those of AS controls. Reticulocyte counts and hematocrit values of AS patients were found to be significantly higher than AS controls. MCV and MCH values of AS patients were found to be significantly lower, but MCHC was not significantly altered.