title: Beta-thalassemia major births after National Screening Program in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A National Thalassemia Screening Program was adopted in Taiwan in 1993. This report examined that program's results and impact.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with beta-thalassemia major born between 1994 and 2003 were recruited through the help of all thalassemia clinics in Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the reasons for affected births.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 97 affected births from 1994 to 2003.These births resulted after informed choice (n = 4), screening problems (n = 83), and undetermined causes (n = 10). Approximately 83% (5/6) of affected births in 2003 came from interracial marriages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report has identified several areas that might improve the thalassemia-screening program, including carrier screening in high school rather than in early pregnancy and the involvement of genetic counselors, providing care of new female immigrants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Department of Health, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jimmy P S
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chern
authors.forename: Kai-Hsin
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Meng-Yao
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Dong-Tsamn
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shiann-Tarng
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Jou
authors.forename: Yung-Li
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hsiu-Hao
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Syi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Kuo-Sin
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D044469:Racial Groups; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*