Incidence of hemoglobins S and C in infants born in Miami to recent Haitian immigrants.

The incidence of hemoglobins S and C was determined for infants born to mothers who had recently emigrated to Miami from Haiti. The rates for hemoglobin S trait was 8.0% and C trait 4.7%. These values were higher than those found for American Blacks studied during the same period. Rates for those homozygous for hemoglobin S and doubly heterozygous for hemoglobins S and C are also reported but due to the infrequency with which they occur, the rates are less reliable. These data demonstrate that these abnormal hemoglobins occur in a significant number of Haitians and implies the existence of a considerable number of individuals with sickle cell anemia and hemoglobin SC disease in that country. It is important that a definitive study be done in Haiti to more precisely quantitate the magnitude of the problem so that appropriate health care strategies can be developed.