Value of Cell Counter-Based Parameters and Formulas in Detection of βThalassemia Minor, the experience of a single Haematological Centre in Iraq

Background: Anemia which is associated with poor maternal and perinatal outcome, is the most common medical disorderand a risk factor in pregnancy causing 20-40% of maternal deaths directly or indirectly through cardiac failure,preeclampsia, antepartum haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage and puerperal sepsis. Aim: The study is aimed atevaluating knowledge, attitude and practices regarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia among pregnant womenattending primary health centers in Tabuk region. Methods: Descriptive design was utilized to fulfill the aim of this study.The study was conducted at eight health centers at Tabuk region. A purposive sample (N= 300) of pregnant women whoattended the eight health centers at Tabuk region for receiving antenatal care was included in the study. Three tools of datacollection were used; 1) self-administrated questionnaire: It includes socio-demographic data, obstetric and health historyand knowledge assessment 2) modified likert scale: to assess the attitudes of pregnant women with regard to anemiaprevention. 3) Practice items: to assess practice of pregnant women to prevent iron deficiency anemia. Results: The findingsrevealed that 25.0% of the pregnant women had history of anemia before pregnancy, 66.7% % of them had poor knowledge,and 70.0 % of them had neutral attitude toward iron deficiency anemia. And 40.0 % of them obtained poor practices scoreregarding prevention of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: The majority of pregnant women in Tabuk Region have poorknowledge, neutral attitude and poor practices regarding prevention iron deficiency anemia.

Role of iron deficiency anemia in the propagation of beta thalssemia gene

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic criterion for beta thalassemia trait (BTT) is elevated Hb-A2 levels. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) reduces the synthesis of Hb-A2, resulting in reduced Hb-A2 levels, so patients with co-pathological conditions BTT with IDA, may have a normal level of Hb-A2. Many socio-economic factors like unawareness, poor diagnostic facilities, and cost of molecular diagnosis (for screening purposes) result in interpretation of these subjects as normal. METHODS: Venous blood samples from 200 unmarried females having a family history of thalassemia were collected, and basic hematological parameters, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and molecular analysis for beta thalassemia were done. Patients with IDA and patients with co-pathological conditions BTT and IDA were treated with oral iron. These subjects were then followed for a period of 20 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 200 females, 34 were found to be anemic. Hemoglobin electrophoresis identified 16 of these patients as BTT. Molecular analysis of all patients confirmed this diagnosis, but identified 8 additional patients with BTT. Eight patients that were not detected with hemoglobin electrophoresis were found to have co-pathology of BTT with IDA. CONCLUSION: Patients with the co-pathological condition BTT with IDA may be interpreted as being normal, as they have normal Hb-A2 levels. These misdiagnosed subjects when marry with BTT have the potential to produce beta thalassemia major in offspring. This is one of the factors playing a major role in the propagation of beta thalassemia gene in Pakistani population, and become a serious hindrance for the thalassemia prevention program in Pakistan.

A Case of Familial beta-thalassemia Minor

Thalassemias are a diverse group of inherited anemias that are characterized by defective synthesis of one or more globin chains. The thalassemias are classified according to the globin chain or chains the synthesis of which is deficient : alpha-, beta-, delta beta-, delta-, and gamma delta beta- Thalassemia. They are common in the Mediterranean region, The Middle East, India, Burma, and Southeast Asia. Beta-thalassemia minor, the heterozygous state, is most frequently characterized by hypochrmia, microcytosis and an elevated percentage of hemoglobin A2. We experienced a case of a familial beta-thalassemia minor in pneumonia patient and his family.

A family case of beta-thalassemia minor and hemoglobin Queens: alpha 34 (B15) Leu-Arg

We report a Korean family case of beta-thalassemia minor and Hb Queens. This is the first case report of Hb Queens in Korea. A 43-year-old male and his four family members had beta-thalassemia minor which is very rare in Korea. Incidentally, an alpha chain variant with a high isoelectric point was also found in two other family members without clinical problems and was finally identified as alpha 34 (B15) Leu-Arg or Hemoglobin Queens.