A Search for Beta Thalassemia Trait in India
Journal Title: Turkish Journal of Hematology - Year 2012, Vol 29, Issue 4
Abstract
To the Editor, The beta-thalassemia trait (BTT)—or beta-thalassemia minor—is a heterozygous condition in which only a single beta-globin gene is affected. The estimated prevalence of BTT in different regions of India is reported to vary between 2.7% and 14.9% (mean: 4.5%) [1,2]. Most individuals with BTT are asymptomatic and are identified incidentally when their complete blood count (CBC) shows microcytosis [3]. Red blood cells are considered to be microcytic when the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is <80 fL [4]. Common causes of microcytosis are iron deficiency anemia (IDA), BTT, anemia of chronic disease (ACD), lead poisoning, and sideroblastic anemia [5]; BTT must be differentiated from IDA and other causes of microcytosis. Automated red cell parameters, such as MCV, RBC count, and red cell distribution width (RDW), have been used to identify patients with a high probability of BTT [5]. The aim of the present study was to determine which routine CBC parameters would best differentiate BTT from other microcytic anemias. The study included 200 adult patients with microcytosis (MCV <80 fL). Detailed clinical history, CBC, blood smear, quantitative assessment of hemoglobin A2 (HbA2), and serum ferritin were evaluated in all cases.An HbA2 concentration >3.5% was considered diagnostic of BTT [1,6]. Iron deficiency was diagnosed based on a ferritin level <15 ng/mL [7]. Serum ferritin is the best parameter to use for IDA screening and in the absence of inflammation, a normal ferritin level generally excludes iron deficiency [3].
Authors and Affiliations
Veda Parthasarathy
Keywords
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- EP ID EP121990
- DOI 10.5505/tjh.2012.21703
- Views 77
- Downloads 0
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