ABSTRACT
Two forms of hypochromic microcytic anaemia i.e. iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait are common in our society. This study reports the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait and predictive value of MCV/RBC count ratio to discriminate between two. Venous blood was taken from 299 students of Karachi Medical and Dental College and Ziauddin Medical University in Na2 EDTA and analyzed by semi-automated Sysmex K-1000 haematology analyzer. MCV/RBC count ratio was used to discriminate between iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait and > 14% was marked as iron deficiency. Hb electrophoresis was used as gold standard test for confirmation. Serum iron and TIBC was performed to confirm iron deficiency anaemia. Iron deficiency was found in 9% while beta-thalassaemia was seen in 3% students. MCV/RBC count ratio showed a positive predictive value of 91%. In areas where iron deficiency anaemia and beta-thalassaemia trait are common, MCV/RBC count ratio can be used to screen out beta-thalassaemia trait