Prevalence of thalassemia in pregnant women at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of thalassemia including alpha-thalassemia-1 trait (SEA type), beta-thalassemia trait, hemoglobin E (HbE) trait, homozygous HbE, the combination of alpha-thalassemia-1 (SEA type) and beta-thalassemia trait, alpha-thalassemia-1 (SEA type) and hemoglobin E trait, and beta-thalassemia hemoglobin E disease in pregnant women.


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, from 1 August to 31 October 2001. All subjects had blood taken for diagnosis of thalassemia trait or diseases, based on quantitative electrophoresis, and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technique


RESULTS
516 pregnant women were recruited 81.0% resided in Chiang Mai province, and the remainder were in other northern provinces of Thailand. The mean (+/-SD) age was 27.7+/-6.3 years old. 5.6% of cases had anemia. Overall prevalence of thalassemia trait was 25.4% which were classified as follows: alpha-thalassemia-1 (SEA type) trait 6.6%, beta-thalassemia trait 3.7%, hemoglobin E trait 11.6%, homozygous hemoglobin E 0.8%, the combination of alpha-thalassemia-1 (SEA type) and beta-thalassemia trait 1.2% and the combination of alpha-thalassemia-1 (SEA type) and hemoglobin E trait 1.5%. Additionally, the authors also found beta-thalassemia hemoglobin/E disease 0.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of thalassemia carriers among pregnant women at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai hospital was high, indicating the necessity of a screening thalassemia program aimed at prevention and control of this disease.
Wanapirak
Chanane
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. cwanapir@mail.med.cmu.ac.th
Muninthorn
Widhawat
W
Sanguansermsri
Torpong
T
Dhananjayanonda
Pisawat
P
Tongsong
Theera
T
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000453:epidemiology*