Thalassaemia in northern Liberia. A survey in the Mount Nimba area.
A population survey in northern Liberia showed an average incidence of 9 percent of beta-thalassaemia trait. There was considerable tribal variation, the highest rates being mainly found in tribes having a low incidence of Hb S. A single example of deltabeta-thalassaemia trait was also found; the incidence of delta-chain variants was 1.8 percent. The effect of malaria on Hb A2 levels was investigated but appeared to be negligible. The problems of beta-thalassaemia and Hb S occurring in the same population are discussed. It is considered that, although made on a local sample, the results of this survey indicate a high incidence of beta-thalassaemia trait elsewhere in Liberia and that this is a suitable are for investigations of linkage at beta- and delta-chain loci. No conclusion is at present possible from the data on the presence of alpha-thalassaemia although 10 percent of neonates were found to have increased levels of Hb Barts.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle / Q000032:analysis; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal / Q000032:analysis; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007988:Liberia; D008288:Malaria / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics
D006451:Hemoglobin, Sickle; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal