title: Thalassemia syndromes in Saudi Arabia. Meta-analysis of local studies.
abstract: The geographical distribution of Alpha and Beta-Thalassemias differ markedly. Alpha-Thalassemia being particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia and Beta-Thalassemia in the Mediterranean basin. Thalassemia syndromes are common in Saudi Arabia: the Beta-Thalassemia genes occur with variable frequency in different regions of Saudi Arabia and both B+ and Bo thalassemia have been reported. Alpha-Thalassemia is also highly prevalent here and the interaction with the sickle cell gene is commonly observed. Over the last few years, a great deal of information regarding the clinical, molecular and management of these disorders has accumulated in the literature. In this paper we summarize some of the recent studies on the subject along with our experience and our attempt to highlight a number of questions still awaiting answers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, King Faisal University, PO Box 5438, Dammam 31422, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Al-Awamy
mesh_terms: D017353:Gene Deletion; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D015995:Prevalence; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017085:alpha-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy