A comparative study of hematological parameters of α and β thalassemias in a high prevalence zone: Saudi Arabia
Open Access
- 1 January 2011
- journal article
- Published by CLOCKSS Archive in Indian Journal of Human Genetics
- Vol. 17 (3), 207-11
- https://doi.org/10.4103/0971-6866.92106
Abstract
Background and Aims : Saudi Arabia falls in the high prevalent zone of αα and β thalassemias. Early screening for the type of thalassemia is essential for further investigations and management. The study was carried out to differentiate the type of thalassemia based on red cell indices and other hematological parameters. Materials and Methods : The study was carried out on 991 clinically suspected cases of thalassemias in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The hematological parameters were studied on Coulter STKS. Cellulose acetate hemoglobin electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed on all the blood samples. Gene deletion studies were carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique using the restriction endonucleases Bam HI. Statistical Analysis : Statistical analysis was performed on SPSS 11.5 version. Results : The hemoglobin electrophoresis and gene studies revealed that there were 406 (40.96%) and 59 (5.95 %) cases of β thalassemia trait and β thalassemia major respectively including adults and children. 426 cases of various deletion forms of α thalassemias were seen. Microcytosis was a common feature in β thalassemias trait and (-α/-α) and (--/αα) types of α thalassemias. MCH was a more significant distinguishing feature among thalassemias. β thalassemia major and α thalassemia (-α/αα) had almost normal hematological parameters. Conclusion : MCV and RBC counts are not statistically significant features for discriminating between α and β thalassemias. There is need for development of a discrimination index to differentiate between α and β thalassemias traits on the lines of discriminatory Indices available for distinguishing β thalassemias trait from iron deficiency anemiaKeywords
This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit:
- Hematological profile of twenty-nine tribal compound cases of hemoglobinopathies and G-6-PD deficiency in rural OrissaIndian Journal of Medical Sciences, 2008
- Prevalence of alpha-globin gene deletions among patients with unexplained microcytosis in a North-American population.2005
- Most reliable indices in differentiation between thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anemiaPediatrics International, 2002
- Rapid detection of α‐thalassaemia deletions and α‐globin gene triplication by multiplex polymerase chain reactionsBritish Journal of Haematology, 2000
- Single-tube multiplex-PCR screen for common deletional determinants of alpha-thalassemia.2000
- Thalassemia syndromes in Saudi Arabia. Meta-analysis of local studies.2000
- Feasibility of molecular diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia in the evaluation of microcytosis.1998
- Genetic red cell disorders in saudi arabia: A multifaceted problemHemoglobin, 1994
- A base substitution (T→C) in codon 29 of the α2-globin gene causes α thalassaemiaBritish Journal of Haematology, 1993
- DIFFERENTIATION OF IRON DEFICIENCY FROM THALASSÆMIA TRAIT BY ROUTINE BLOOD-COUNTThe Lancet, 1973