Frequency of haemoglobinopathies at premarital health screening in Dohuk, Iraq: implications for a regional prevention programme

ABSTRACT

Beta-thalassaemia major and sickle-cell disease are important health problems in Iraq. To provide information for a prevention programme, the frequency of haemoglobin disorders was mapped in Dohuk governorate. A total of 591 couples [1182 individuals] attending health centres for premarital health screening were tested; 44 [3.7%] were found to be carriers of beta-thalassaemia, 14 [1.2%] of the sickle-cell gene and 1 [0.1%] of delta beta-thalassaemia. A total of 3 couples [i.e. 5/1000] were at risk of having a child with beta-thalassaemia major, and the estimated number of affected children with a major haemoglobinopathy was 39 per year. The findings stress the importance of a regional prevention programme for haemoglobinopathies based on premarital screening, counselling and prenatal diagnosis