ABSTRACT
Background: Various indices derived from red blood cell (RBC) parameters have been described for distinguishing betathalassemia minor and other types of hypochromic microcytic anemia. Objective: The study is aimed at investigating thediagnostic reliability of different RBC indices and formulas in differentiation between beta thalassemia minor and othertypes of hypochromic microcytic anemia. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross‐sectional study which was carried out sincefirst of Jan 2011 to end of December 2011 on 171 children with hypochromic microcytic anemia in Kut Oncology Centre,Wasit, Iraq. Results: There was a statistical significant difference between thalassemic group and other groups regardingblood indices as well as the eight formulas which were used. The highest correctly identified patients (PCIP) was reportedfor RBCs count (84%) with sensitivity and specificity of 96.3%. The Youden's index for RBCs was 58.2 which is the highestvalue compared with other seven parameters or indices which were used in this study. The second highest Youden's indexwas for G & K index, with 78.4% PCIP, and sensitivity and specificity of 98.2%. Youden's index of red cell distributionwidth (RDW) was the lowest value compared to other values used in this study as well as the lowest percentage of correctlyidentified patients (65%). The sensitivity and specificity of RDW for BTM was 86.1%. Conclusion: According to this study,cell counter-based parameters and formulas, particularly RBCs, and Green and King index are superior to all othermethods examined for distinguishing between thalassemia trait and other hypochromic microcytic anemia; while, RDW wasinadequate and ineffective for that purpose.