title: Diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia trait from Coulter Counter 'S' indices.
abstract: A number of patients of Mediterranean and Asian origins were found to have unexplained microcytic hypochromic red blood cells. Iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait were both satisfactorily excluded in all of them. The haematological indices of these patients, obtained on a Coulter Model 'S' Counter, were found to be very similar to those seen in obligatory heterozygotes for alpha-thalassaemia. It is postulated that these patients were also carriers for alpha-thalassaemia. Subsequent investigation of some of these patients showed the characteristically reduced rates of alpha-chain synthesis seen in this condition. The discriminant function of England and Fraser (1973) may be of help in diagnosing this state. alpha-Thalassaemia trait should be considered in all patients of 'high-risk' ethnic origins with a blood picture suggestive of beta-thalassaemia trait but in whom the levels of Hb A2 and Hb F are within normal limits.
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006441:Hemoglobin A / Q000032:analysis; D006447:Hemoglobin H / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008521:Mediterranean Islands / Q000208:ethnology; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006441:Hemoglobin A; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D006447:Hemoglobin H