Sickle-cell anaemia: an explanation for the ancient myth of reincarnation in Nigeria

Abstract

The belief in reincarnation, widely held in Nigeria for many centuries, has waned in the past 30 years. It is most probable that the "reincarnate" child had sickle-cell anaemia, since this disease would explain all the clinical features and natural history of "reincarnation". Most reincarnate children died of Plasmodium falciparum or bacterial infection. The prevailing high birth rate and familial predisposition almost ensured that another sickler was born to the family. The widespread introduction of antimalarial chemoprophylaxis and therapy, the recognition of sickle-cell disease, and some measure of improvement in health care and socioeconomic standards have resulted in an increase in life expectancy for children with HbSS and consequently near-total total extinction of the people's belief in reincarnation.