Risk of a couple having a child with severe thalassemia syndrome, prevalence in lower northern Thailand

• Main Authors: Peerapon Wong, Piriya Thanormrat, Suchila Srithipayawan, Nangnoy Jermnim, Sukumarn Niyomthom, Nungruethai Nimnuch, Torpong Sanguansermsri
• Format: Journal
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Medicine
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=33746072631&origin=inward; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/jspui/handle/6653943832/61895
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Thalassemia screening in pregnant women and their spouses was performed at Buddhachinaraj Provincial Hospital and 8 community hospitals in Phitsanulok; lower northern Thailand. The prevalence of thalassemic carrier state was determined of 1,198 couples. Of these, 4.8% had heterozygous alpha thalassemia-1, 1.6% had heterozygous beta thalassemia, 12.4% had heterozygous hemoglobin (Hb) E, 2.7% had homozygous Hb E and 0.25% of others had abnormal Hb. Eighteen at risk couples (1.5%) were identified. Fifteen couples were at risk for compound heterozygous Hb E / beta thalassemia and the remaining 3 were at risk for homozygous alpha thalassemia-1. Prenatal diagnosis (cordocentesis) was performed in 4 couples at risk, but no fetuses with severe thalassemic disease were detected.