PREVALENCE OF THALASSEMIA AMONG NEWBORNS: A RE-VISITED AFTER 20 YEARS OF A PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM IN NORTHEAST THAILAND.

BACKGROUND: To provide accurate prevalence information of thalassemia in northeast Thailand, authors performed thalassemia screening in newborns after 20 years implementation of a prevention and control program. METHODS: Study was done on 350 cord blood specimens collected consecutively at Maternal and Child Hospital, Regional Health Promotion Center 7, Khon Kaen, Thailand. All kinds of α- and β-thalassemias were identified using combined hemoglobin (Hb) and DNA analyses. RESULTS: -thalassemia, 5.4% Hb Constant Spring and 1.4% of Hb Paksé were encountered. Heterozygous β-thalassemia was found in 2 cases (0.6%). Hb capillary electrophoresis could demonstrate Hb E in all cases with Hb E and detected different levels of Hb Bart's for different α-thalassemia genotypes but not in all cases with α-thalassemia. No newborn with severe thalassemia diseases was encountered. CONCLUSION: This study reveals that α-thalassemia, β-thalassemia, and Hb E carriers as well as complex thalassemia syndromes are still prevalence and indicates a need for continuing a prevention and control program in the region.