PREMARITAL SCREENING TEST RESULTS FOR β-THALASSEMIA AND SICKLE CELL ANEMIA TRAIT IN EAST MEDITERRANEAN REGION OF TURKEY

• Published in: Pediatric hematology and oncology Vol. 27; no. 8; pp. 608 - 613
• Main Authors: Guler, Ekrem, Garipardic, Mesut, Dalkiran, Tahir, Davutoglu, Mehmet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 18.10.2010; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anemia, Sickle Cell - diagnosis; Anemia, Sickle Cell - epidemiology; Anemia, Sickle Cell - genetics; beta-Thalassemia - diagnosis; beta-Thalassemia - epidemiology; beta-Thalassemia - genetics; Female; Humans; Male; Mass Screening; Mediterranean Region - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Premarital Examinations; premarital screening; Prevalence; sickle cell anemia trait; Turkey - epidemiology; Young Adult; β-thalassemia trait; Turkey; Mediterranean Region
• ISSN: 0888-0018; 1521-0669
• DOI: 10.3109/08880018.2010.503772

Hemoglobinopathies are common diseases in Mediterranean region of Turkey. In this study, the results of a 3-year premarital screening program are reported in Kahramanmaras province, which is located in East Mediterranean region. A total of 48,126 persons were screened in this program. Hematological analyses and electrophoresis were done to identify carriers. The prevalence of β-thalassemia trait and of sickle cell anemia trait, which were 2.1% and 0.5% in Turkey, were found to be 2.8% and 0.4%, respectively, in our study. Of the carriers of the β-thalassemia trait, 82% had high hemoglobin A2, 34% had high hemoglobin F, and 18% had both high hemoglobin F and hemoglobin A2. β-Thalassemia trait in Kahramanmaras is slightly higher than the average rate in Turkey. However, sickle cell anemia trait is similar to Turkey's averages.