frequencies of HbS, alpha and beta-thalassaemia in Saudi Arabia: preliminary national values

The frequency of sickle cell haemoglobin [HbS] alpha[1]-type thalassaemia and beta-thalassaemia were determined amongst 1000 Saudi subjects of a population in the Eastern Province which is representative of all parts of Saudi Arabia. Frequencies were: HbS, 0.068; alpha[1]-type thalassaemia, 0.065; beta-thalassaemia, 0.035. These values differ from those of other peninsular Arab states in that Saudi Arabia has the highest frequency of HbS and beta-thalassaemia but the lowest frequency of alpha[1]-type thalassaemia. The significance of these findings are discussed