[Hemoglobin S frequency in five Mexican populations and its importance in public health]. / Frecuencia de la hemoglobina S en cinco poblaciones mexicanas y su importancia en la salud pública.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information regarding the heterozygote frequency for hemoglobin S (HbS) in five Mexican populations, the Haplotype in five S chromosomes, and underscore its importance for public health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 162 samples from three Nahua populations (Atocpan and Tlacotenco, DF, and Ixhuatlancillo, Veracruz) and 131 from mestizo populations (Coyolillo and Poza Rica, Veracruz) were studied after obtaining informed consent. The hemoglobin type was determined by electrophoresis, and DNA in leucocytes was obtained from five HbS samples. The haplotype was determined by PCR and cut with restrictases, according to literature. RESULTS: We found one heterozygote for hemoglobin S (0.6%) among Nahua and 18 among Mestizo groups (13.7%). Four haplotypes were Bantu and one was Benin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are important to public health for populations with a high frequency of HbS, to inform and provide genetic counseling for carriers and medical attention to patients.

Frecuencia de la hemoglobina S en cinco poblaciones mexicanas y su importancia en la salud pública / Hemoglobin S frequency in five Mexican populations and its importance in public health

OBJETIVO: Informar la frecuencia de heterocigotos para la hemoglobina S (HbS) en cinco poblaciones mexicanas y el haplotipo en cinco muestras con HbS y subrayar su relevancia en la salud pública. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se tomó una muestra de sangre periférica en 162 individuos no relacionados provenientes de tres poblaciones nahuas (Atocpan y Tlacotenco, DF, e Ixhuatlancillo, Veracruz), y en 131 mestizos (Coyolillo y Poza Rica, Veracruz), previo consentimiento informado. Se determinó el tipo de hemoglobina por electroforesis y se extrajo el DNA de leucocitos de cinco muestras en las que se determinó el haplotipo por PCR y corte con restrictasas. RESULTADOS: Entre los nahuas se reconoció un heterocigoto HbAS (0.6 por ciento) y 18 en mestizos (13.7 por ciento). Se identificaron cuatro haplotipos Bantu y uno Benin. CONCLUSIONES: Estos hallazgos son importantes en términos de la salud pública en poblaciones con alta frecuencia de HbS, para dar información y consejo genético a los portadores y la atención médica oportuna y adecuada a los pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information regarding the heterozygote frequency for hemoglobin S (HbS) in five Mexican populations, the Haplotype in five S chromosomes, and underscore its importance for public health. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 162 samples from three Nahua populations (Atocpan and Tlacotenco, DF, and Ixhuatlancillo, Veracruz) and 131 from mestizo populations (Coyolillo and Poza Rica, Veracruz) were studied after obtaining informed consent. The hemoglobin type was determined by electrophoresis, and DNA in leucocytes was obtained from five HbS samples. The haplotype was determined by PCR and cut with restrictases, according to literature. RESULTS:We found one heterozygote for hemoglobin S (0.6 percent) among Nahua and 18 among Mestizo groups (13.7 percent). Four haplotypes were Bantu and one was Benin. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are important to public health for populations with a high frequency of HbS, to inform and provide genetic counseling for carriers and medical attention to patients.

[Platelet reference values in healthy children living in Mexico City]. / Valores plaquetarios de referencia en niños sanos residentes de la Ciudad de México.

INTRODUCTION: There are few studies on normal values of platelet parameters (number of plate-lets, mean platelet volume [MPV], thrombocytocrit, and platelet distribution width [PDW]) in children. The objective of this study was to determine the normal values of these platelet indices in healthy children who live in Mexico City, located 2240 meters above sea level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 642 healthy children, between 2 and 16 years old, who had normal growth and developmental features and no history of treatment with drugs that alter platelets, were selected. The children fasted for 12 hours before their blood was collected by venipuncture of the arm. Platelet values, determined in an automatic counter (Cell Dyn 3000), were used in the statistical analysis to calculate the mean, standard deviation, and the 3, 50, and 97 percentiles of each data distribution, stratified by age and sex. Correlations between platelet count, MPV, PcT, and PDW, according to age and sex, were evaluated with linear regression statistics. RESULTS: The number of platelets presented a negative correlation with age (r = -0.31, p = 0.001), whereas the mean platelet volume showed a positive correlation (r = 0.29, p = 0.001). The platelet distribution width correlated positively (r = 0.13, p = 0.001) and thrombocytocrit, negatively (r = -0.08, p = 0.05), with no evident variation in relation to age or sex. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease of platelet number with the subsequent increase of mean platelet volume in relation to age possibly resulted from the platelets having become more efficient in carrying out their haemostatic function. The values of platelet indices obtained in this study were similar to those of children living at sea level and, therefore, may be used as reference values in pediatric patients with clinical problems related to these cells.