Thalassaemia in the Greek community of Cape Town

A survey of the thalassaemias has been undertaken in the Greek community of Cape Town. In a sample of 250 persons 3 were found to have the alpha-thalassaemia trait, and its prevalence can therefore be estimated to be 1,2%. Neither haemoglobin H disease nor homozygous alpha-thalassaemia was encountered, but 2 persons with homozygous beta-thalassaemia (thalassaemia major) who were not part of the survey were traced through the Western Province Blood Transfusion Service. Twenty-three of the 250 subjects were found to have heterozygous beta-thalassaemia (thalassaemia minor), the prevalence of which could be calculated at 9,2%, with a gene frequency of 0,046. The thalassaemias therefore warrant consideration whenever an individual of Greek stock in Cape Town presents with an anaemia.