Analysis of folate and vitamin B12 in beta thalassemia minor

To evaluate whether anemia of heterozygote beta thalassemic subjects depends on folate or vitamin B12 deficiency, the serum values of these two vitamins were assessed in 176 adult subjects: 81 healthy heterozygote beta thalassemic subjects, 76 healthy normal controls and 15 subjects with microcytic iron deficient anaemia and no thalassemic trait. Mean serum folate and vitamin B12 levels in heterozygote beta thalassemic subjects were not statistically different when compared to control groups. No statistically significant correlation was found between mean serum levels of the two vitamins and hematocrit in beta thalassemic carriers and in normal subjects.