Thalassemia...Who is to be screened?

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia carrier rate in Egypt is as high as 9-10%. The first step to eradicate thalassemia is to define population at risk. Aim of the work: to define the high risk population to be screened for thalassemia. Subjects and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included children aged between 1 and 16 years presenting with microcytic anemia to Cairo university Children Hospitals from the period between March and September 2022. Children with hemoglobin 65. There was no significant difference in the diagnosis between the three groups. Conclusion: 22 % of children with MCV < 70 fl were found to have an inherited hemolytic anemia. Children with MCV <70 should be screened for thalassemia.

Keywords

• thalassemia
• prevention
• microcytic anemia
• iron deficiency
• screening