UPR/MSC CURRENT PROJECTS

AND ACTIVITIES

Selected Campus Projects Relevant to Women's Health

Hemoglobinopathy Treatment and Research Program

The comprehensive island-wide Hemoglobinopathy Program is conducted by the Hematology-Oncology Section of the Department of Pediatrics of the School of Medicine. The objectives of this program are to improve awareness and education about sickle cell disease, to decrease the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in Puerto Rico, and to decrease the morbidity and mortality of sickle cell disease in the island.

This model health delivery program provides island-wide newborn screening for abnormal hemoglobins, and education and genetic counseling for individuals with sickle cell disease and trait. It also delivers comprehensive health care to patients with symptomatic hemoglobinopathies. Practically 100% of patients with symptomatic hemoglobinopathies, mostly sickle cell disease, are admitted to a comprehensive clinic, where education, genetic counseling, psychosocial services, and continuous health care are provided.

Clinical and basic science research on hemoglobin S is also being conducted. The main objective of this research is to correlate clinical manifestations of sickle cell patients with hemoglobin E levels, hemoglobin S haplotype, variants of fetal hemoglobin, and with certain plasma factors.