Hematologic data in 825 cases of beta-thalassemia trait in Spain

We present the hematologic data of 825 cases of beta-thalassemia trait (687 cases of beta-thalassemia trait and 138 cases of delta beta-thalassemia trait). There were no significant differences between the red cell indices of the patients with beta and delta beta-thalassemia trait. In patients with beta-thalassemia trait, MCV was significantly reduced in 97% of the males and 99% of the females. All the patients with delta beta-thalassemia trait showed low MCV values. Red cell morphology was altered in the vast majority of cases, with basophilic stippling in 96% of the patients. Most patients came from provinces with the highest incidence of malaria in the past.