Prevalence of hemoglobinopathies among candidates attending premarital counseling in Bahrain

ABSTRACT

Hereditary blood diseases in Bahrain is a major health problem. To determine the prevalence of hereditary blood diseases among couples attending Premarital counseling in Bahrain. A cross sectional study involving 1070 individuals attending premarital screening in Bahrain during the period of 1st April and 15[th] May 2006. The study population was 1070 with the mean age 25. 9 +/- 7.1 years, ranged between 14 and 74 years. The prevalence of G6PD was 268 [24%] sickle cell disease [SCD] 14 [1.3%], 175 [16.4%] were sickle cell trait [SCT] in which 22 couples were both carrier, one [0.09%] p thalassemia major, 30 [2.8%] P thalassemia trait in which 3 couples were carrier, 365[34%] individuals with low red blood cell indices, 5 couples both with low indices. Hemoglobinopathies among candidates attending premarital screening in Bahrain is a common problem: