The simultaneous presence of alpha- and beta-thalassaemia alleles: a pitfall of thalassaemia screening.
Public Health Genomics 2003;
6:14-21. [PMID:
12748434 DOI:
10.1159/000069539]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of routine haematological tests and molecular analysis in the diagnosis of double heterozygous alpha- and beta-thalassaemia.
METHODS
Screening was carried out in extended family members from 125 families registered in the National Thalassaemia Registry, known to have both alpha- and beta-thalassaemia carriers.
RESULTS
Eighty-three individuals from 59 families were identified to be double heterozygous for alpha- and beta-thalassaemia only upon molecular analyses. Among 40 married individuals, 1 was at 25% risk for having beta-thalassaemia major children and 6 for having Bart's hydrops pregnancies.
CONCLUSION
Molecular analysis must be used for the accurate diagnosis of double heterozygous alpha- and beta-thalassaemia for proper risk ascertainment, especially in regions with a high prevalence of both types of thalassaemia.
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