ISSN 2997-1036
International Journal of Hematology | Vol. 1, No. 7, July 2010 | pp. 49–56
DOI: 10.46882/2010/IJH/000007
Original Article
Title: Prevalence and phenotypic characterization of beta-thalassemia traits among microcytic hypochromic anemia cases in a tertiary care center
Names of Authors: E. F. Adeyemi¹, F. G. Sanusi², G. H. Ojo³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Pathology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria; ²Department of Haematology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria; ³Department of Paediatrics, Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
Abstract: Distinguishing iron deficiency from beta-thalassemia trait in microcytic hypochromic anemias remains crucial to avoid inappropriate iron overload therapy. We analyzed 215 consecutive patients presenting with microcytic hypochromic profiles (MCV < 80 fl, MCH < 27 pg) refractory to empirical oral iron supplementation over a 6-month window. High-performance liquid chromatography quantified hemoglobin fractions, while serum iron indices excluded concomitant iron deficiency. Beta-thalassemia trait was confirmed in 18.1% (39 of 215) of patients, characterized by elevated hemoglobin A2 values (> 3.5% up to 5.8%). The mean corpuscular volume in confirmed thalassemia trait cases averaged 68.2 ± 4.1 fl, with red blood cell distribution width values often within a narrower range than pure iron deficiency. Mentzer index calculation (MCV/RBC) yielded values below 13 in 92% of thalassemia trait patients. Screening algorithms utilizing automated cell counter parameters coupled with confirmatory high-performance liquid chromatography prove highly cost-effective for diagnosing hemoglobinopathies in high-prevalence settings.
Keywords: Beta-thalassemia trait, microcytic anemia, high-performance liquid chromatography, hemoglobin A2, Mentzer index
Manuscript Timeline: Received: April 12, 2010; Revised: May 20, 2010; Accepted: June 08, 2010; Published: July 14, 2010