Yao XY, Yu J, Chen SP, Xiao JW, Zheng QC, Liu HY, Zhang L, Xian Y, Zou L. Prevalence and genetic analysis of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia in Chongqing area of China.
Gene 2013;
532:120-4. [PMID:
24055728 DOI:
10.1016/j.gene.2013.09.031]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary disorders. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of thalassemia and the mutation spectrum in Chongqing, the southern area of China.
METHODS
A total of 1057 children were recruited from Chongqing. Hematological parameters were examined and globin genes were genetically analyzed.
RESULTS
The total frequency of thalassemia carriers was 7.76% in this group of children. Among these, α-thalassemia was 5.20%, β-thalassemia was 1.99% and abnormal hemoglobin variant was 0.57%. Furthermore, 24 cases of α-triplication were detected, frequency of which was 2.55%. The true prevalence of silent α-thalassemia was first reported in this study. In addition, six novel mutations that give rise to α-thalassemia and two rare abnormal hemoglobin variants were first identified in Chinese population.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggested that the population in Chongqing are at high risk of α- and β-thalassemia. The findings will be useful for genetic counseling and the prevention of severe thalassemias in this area.
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