Diagnosis of Beta-Thalassaemia Carriers in the Sultanate of Oman

Authors

Shahina Daar, Department of Haematology, Sultan Qaboos University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O.Box 35, Al-Khod, Muscat 123, Sultanate of Oman
David Gravell, Department of Haematology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, P.O.Box 35, Al-Khod, Muscat 123, Sultanate of Oman.

Abstract

Background: Haemoglobinopathies are a major cause of morbidity in the Sultanate of Oman and premarital screening is being encouraged in order to reduce the number of affected births. The identification of β-thalassaemia carrier status is an essential prerequisite of any screening programme. However, the level of Haemoglobin (Hb) A2, which is used to detect β-thalassaemia carriers, can be affected by other factors including iron deficiency, concurrent α thalassaemia and the type of DNA mutation present. Objectives:The following study was undertaken to ascertain if the Hb A2 level is an appropriate tool for the identification of β-thalassaemia carriers in the Omani population. Method: Hb A2 was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 160 obligate carriers of β-thalassaemia. 158 subjects had Hb A2 levels above 3.5% indicating β-thalassaemia trait. Two subjects had slightly lower levels and were found to be iron deficient. After therapy both these subjects’ Hb A2 levels increased to above 3.5%. Conclusion: In the absence of iron deficiency, Hb A2 is an accurate marker for the presence of β-thalassaemia trait in the Sultanate of Oman.

Publication Date

6-30-2006

First Page

27

Last Page

31

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Daar, Shahina and Gravell, David (2006) "Diagnosis of Beta-Thalassaemia Carriers in the Sultanate of Oman," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal: Vol. 6: 27-31.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18295/2075-0528.2615