Genetic disorders of haemoglobin are prevalent in Bahrain. In a study of the hospital population covering 56 198 Bahrainis, we found that 2% of newborns have sickle-cell disease [SCD] and 18% have sickle-cell trait, while 24% are carriers of the [-thalassaemia gene. In a study of the presentation of SCD among Bahrainis it was found that the mild form of the disease predominates, but a wide clinical variability is apparent. It was also found that their haematological values are similar to those of patients from Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, where the mild form of the disease predominates
