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Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
09:43

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells

Published on: July 9, 2015

Microcytic anaemia and haemoglobinopathy in Cape Town children

A R Bird, C D Karabus, P S Hartley

    South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
    |September 18, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Microcytic anemia in children is often linked to beta-thalassemia gene or abnormal hemoglobin, particularly in the Coloured population. This study investigated the frequency of these conditions in pediatric patients with low mean corpuscular volume (MCV).

    Area of Science:

    • Hematology
    • Pediatric Medicine
    • Genetics

    Background:

    • Microcytosis and hypochromia are common in children with thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia.
    • A significant number of children present with microcytic anemia or isolated microcytosis at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the frequency of beta-thalassemia gene and abnormal hemoglobin in pediatric patients with low mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
    • To investigate the association between low MCV and specific hemoglobinopathies in a pediatric cohort.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective analysis of 730 pediatric patients with MCV of 60 fl or less.
    • Screening for beta-thalassemia gene and abnormal hemoglobin variants.

    Main Results:

    • 46 patients (6.4%) carried the beta-thalassemia gene.
    • 20 children (2.7%) had abnormal hemoglobin, most commonly hemoglobin E.
    • Thalassemia prevalence was highest in Coloured patients; abnormal hemoglobins were exclusively found in this group.

    Conclusions:

    • Low MCV in children warrants investigation for beta-thalassemia and abnormal hemoglobins.
    • The findings highlight the importance of genetic screening for hemoglobinopathies in specific ethnic groups, particularly the Coloured population.

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