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Forecasting hemoglobinopathy burden through neonatal screening in Omani neonates
Salam Alkindi1, Shoaib Al Zadjali, Ali Al Madhani
1Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Insights
This study screened 7,837 Omani neonates for hemoglobinopathies. Alpha-thalassemia was highly prevalent at 48.5%, with beta-globin abnormalities affecting 9.5%.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Hemoglobinopathies represent a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the prevalence of these disorders is crucial for resource allocation and healthcare planning in Oman.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of hemoglobinopathies in Omani neonates.
- To project the future impact of these conditions on Oman's health resources.
- To establish reference ranges for cord red blood cell indices in Omani neonates.
Main Methods:
- A prospective neonatal screening program was conducted in two major Omani cities.
- 7,837 consecutive cord blood samples were analyzed.
- Complete blood counts and hemoglobin profiles were assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Main Results:
- No cases of Hb H (beta4) were detected.
- The incidence of alpha-thalassemia (alpha-thal), indicated by Hb Bart's (gamma4), was 48.5%.
- Beta-globin-related abnormalities occurred in 9.5% of samples, including sickle cell trait (4.8%), beta-thalassemia trait (2.6%), and sickle cell disease (0.3%).
Conclusions:
- Alpha-thalassemia is highly prevalent in Omani neonates.
- Beta-globin abnormalities, including sickle cell trait and disease, are also present.
- This study provides essential data for public health strategies and establishes crucial reference ranges for Omani neonates.
Abstract:
To evaluate the incidence of hemoglobinopathies in Omani subjects and to forecast its future burden on health resources, we initiated a prospective neonatal screening program in two major cities of the Sultanate of Oman. Consecutive cord blood samples from a total of 7,837 neonates were analyzed for complete blood counts and for hemoglobin (Hb) profile by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). No case with Hb H (beta4) was detected. We observed that the overall incidence of alpha-thalassemia (alpha-thal) was 48.5% [based on the presence of Hb Bart's (gamma4)] and the beta-globin-related abnormalities accounted for 9.5% of the samples (4.8% sickle cell trait, 2.6% beta-thal trait, 0.9% Hb E trait, 0.8% Hb D trait, 0.08% Hb C trait, 0.3% sickle cell disease and 0.08% homozygous beta-thal). This is also the first large study to establish reference ranges of cord red blood cell (RBC) indices for Omani neonates.
