Prevalence of anemia, thalassemia and sickle cell disorder in young adults of Gujarat.

ABSTRACT

Background & objectives: Anemia is considered as important clinical manifestation of haematological and non-haematological disease while thalassemia and sickle cell disease considered now as genetic disorders. The purpose is to investigate prevalence of anemia, β-thalassemia trait and sickle cell trait. Materials & Method: The present study was carried in 250 medical students (194 male & 56 female) for screening of for anemia, β thalassemia trait and sickle cell trait with help of tests like Haemoglobin estimation, Peripheral blood smear examination, NESTROFT and Dithionate turbidity test5,6 and Hb electrophoresis. Results: The prevalence of anemia was higher in female 25 (44.6%) as compared to male medical students 59 (30.4%) & difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) but anemia detected in male & female medical students was not correlated with MCV & PCV value (p>0.05). Only 2 (1.03%) male shows β thalassemia trait and sickle cell trait while in case of female 2 (3.57%) shows prevalence of β thalassemia trait & 1 (1.7%) shows prevalence of sickle cell trait. Conclusion: Knowledge of heterozygote for β-thalassemia trait and sickle cell trait impart great impact on society for genetic counselling and prevention of their offspring became homozygote for thalassemia major and sickle cell disease. Also evaluate sensitivity of simple screening test like NESTROFT and dithionate solubility test for detection of β-thalassemia trait and sickle cell trait.