Prevalence Of B-thalassemia Trait Among Children In Kaliobiya Governorate:

Ahmed Farouk Ahmed El-dakroury

In this work 500 children were screened for beta-thalassemia trait. They werepresenting at outpatient clinics of Kaliobiya hospitals with irrelevant conditions. All subjects >= 2 and =< 14 years of age were potential candidates for this work. 271 of them (54.2%) were males and the remaining 229 children (45.8%) were females. For every child participating in this study blood cell count and indices using the Coulter Counter CBC5 were done. These includes; Hb concentration g/dl, RBCs count millions/mm3 , Hct% , MCV (fl), MCH (pg) and MCHC g/dl. The children were classified into 2 groups, Non-microcytic group and microcytic group according to MCV (any child < 76 fl in age group 2-6 years,< 77 fl in age group 6-12 years or < 78 fl in age group> 12 years is consideredmicrocytic). Then for the microcytic group; Reticulocytic count, hemoglobinelectrophoresis, serum iron, and TIBC were done and transferrin saturation wascalculated from serum iron and TIBC. According to the previous parameters themicrocytic group was divided into 3 subgroups:1- Iron deficiency anemia subgroup serum iron < 50 ug/dl and transferrinsaturation < 15%.2- beta-thalassemia trait subgroup HbAz ~ 3.5% independent of the Ironparameters.3- Non-iron deficiency non beta-thalassemia subgroup which include theremaining microcytic children. The results of this study could be summarized as follows:1- In the studied group of children (500) the prevalence of microcytosis was25.8%, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 16.6% , and theprevalence of beta-thalassemia trait was 3%.2- The severity of anemia is less and of microcytosis is more in beta-thalassemia trait group when it is compared with iron deficiency anemia group.3- Iron deficiency leads to decrease in the level of HbAz %. There is highlypositive correlation between serum iron and HhA %, consequently irondeficiency anemia is to be considered in diagnosis of beta-thalassemia trait.Conclusion1- beta-thalassemia seems to be a major health problem in our community.2- Wide scale population screening through centers establishment in thedensely populated province is recommended.3- A national prevention program including health education must be planned and carried out.4- Premarital screening can not be over-looked to provide genetic counselingfor couples at risk.5- The iron deficiency anemia is a distressing problem that should attract our attention to evaluate our dietetic habits and to plan for wide scale screening, searching for parasitic infestation in order to supply suitable treatment.