[Abnormal hemoglobins identified in Martinique]

Epidemiologic programs in Martinique during the last 10 years and particularly the last 5, have allowed the determination of the Hb S, Hb C, beta thalassemia traits frequencies. A number of rare variants have been detected during the course of these screening programs. Many of these Hb variants have been analysed at the structural level. For some of them a pathologic interaction with Hb S is observed (Hb D Punjab, Hb O Arab...), and the use of electrophoretic mobilities obtained with the reference samples provides the basis of a rapid, highly probable presumptive identification and then, a useful tool, when for example genetic counselling is necessary.