Neonatal screening for sickle cell disease in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: feasibility and first results of a pilot programme

Résumé

<p>Sickle cell disease affects approximately 2% of newborns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This pilot programme evaluated the feasibility of systematic neonatal screening using isoelectric focusing in three maternity hospitals in Kinshasa. Between 2023 and 2025, 15,248 newborns were screened; 312 (2.05%) were diagnosed with sickle cell disease and 2,891 (18.96%) with sickle cell trait. Linkage to care was achieved for 89% of diagnosed infants. Systematic neonatal screening is feasible and cost-effective in Kinshasa and should be scaled up nationally.</p>