Prevalence of single and double thalassemia carriers in pregnant women and spouses: Case study of Sawanpracharak Hospital
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Abstract
Background: Thalassemia is common in Thailand. Knowing the prevalence of thalassemia carriers in married couples would lead to proper management of this disease.
Objectives: This study was aimed to survey the prevalence of thalassemia carriers in pregnant women and spouses attending the antenatal care (ANC) unit at Sawanpracharak Hospital, Nakhorn Sawan Province, Thailand. Criterions to differentiate double thalassemia carriers and single thalassemia carriers were also aimed to propose.
Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Data of red cell parameters, hemoglobin typing, and globin gene genotyping were collected during 2012 to 2017. Study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethic Committee, Sawanpracharak Hospital.
Results: Both thalassemia diseases and carriers were found in the studied cohort. Prevalence of thalassemia carriers was 56.0% in which 7.6% found to be double thalassemia carriers of HbE/α thalassemia 1 (SEA and non-SEA type). HbE (+A2), RBC count, MCV, MCH, and RDW were significantly different between the single HbE carriers and the double HbE/SEA-α thalassemia 1 carriers. Testing the previously established HbE, MCV, and MCH cutoff points demonstrated high efficiency in detecting this major double carrier.
Conclusion: Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies were common in the married couples attending the ANC clinic at Sawanpracharak hospital. Both single and double thalassemia carriers were existed. The double HbE/SEA-α thalassemia 1 carrier was predominated and could be detected efficiently by the previously established cutoff points of HbE, MCV, and MCH.
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