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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
A Point-of-Care Method with Integrated Decision Support Tool to Estimate Anemia at Population Level
Published on: January 19, 2024
Screening for beta-thalassaemia trait in anaemic pregnant women
Gabriela Bencaiova1, Tilo Burkhardt, Alexander Krafft
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Obstetric Research, Fetomaternal Hematology Unit, Zurich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. gabriela.bencaiova@usz.ch
Aims:
To find a clinically practicable parameter for the identification of beta-thalassaemia trait (beta-TT) in anaemic pregnant women on the basis of routine use of haematological examination.
Methods:
During 1998-2002, 304 anaemic pregnant women were observed in anaemia consultation hours. A retrospective study was carried out with the aim of finding a screening method for beta-TT in anaemic pregnant women. We compared a sensitivity and a specificity of six different parameters for identification of beta-TT. On the basis of a sensitivity and a specificity for each parameter, we calculated Youden's index, the likelihood ratio and determined the receiver-operating curves. The logistic regression of the variables MCV, MCH and microcytosis was accomplished.
Results:
The analysis using receiver-operating curves as well as a calculation of Youden's index showed that the best parameter for screening of beta-TT in anaemic pregnant women is MCV < or = 75 fl. For differentiation between patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) alone and patients with beta-TT and concomitant IDA, microcytosis > or = 15% was the most sensitive. By using MCH we identified 100% of patients in the group with beta-TT but only 67% of patients in the group with IDA.
Conclusion:
Our results suggest identification of beta-thalassaemia on the basis of quantification of HbA2 in all patients with MCV < or = 75 fl and normal iron status.
