Hemoglobin variants in the northeastern region of Venezuela

ABSTRACT

3,164 blood samples from Monagas, Anzoátegui, Nueva Esparta and Sucre State (Northeastern Region of Venezuela) were examined for ABO blood groups and hemoglobin variants. In the 919 samples from Anzoátegui State 29 Hb AS, 6 Hb AC, 1 Hb AD-Punjab, 1 B-thalassemia minor, 2 with non-thalassemic increase of Hb A2 and 5 individuals with increased Hb F were found. In the 777 samples from Monagas States the following hemoglobin variants were found 3.2% Hb AS, 0.4% B-thalassemia minor 0.5% non-thalassemic increse of Hb A2 and 2.2% increased Hb F. In the 384 samples from Nueva Esparta there were 0.8% Hb AS an 0.8% with increased Hb F. And in the 1,084 samples from Sucre State the following were found Hb AS 2.9%, Hb AC 0.5% B-Thalassemia minor 0.2%, non-thalassemic increase of Hb A2 0.3%, increased Hb F 1.0% and a fast hemoglobin (Hb Alamo). Using these data the quantity of carriers and patients of hemoglobin variants were calculated for the four States. Anzoátegui, Monagas and Sucre States have sufficient cases of Hb SS in each generation to warrant special attention to this health problem. The African companent of the population of these four States is 16-18%, except Nueva Esparta which is only 4%