title: Prevalence of β-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobin in premarital screening in the province of Izmir, Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thalassemia is one of the most common hereditary disorders in Turkey. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of the β-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobin in couples who applied for premarital screening in the third largest Turkish province of Izmir in the Aegean region.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2011 to March 2012, we tested 19,277 couples at the Karşıyaka Public Health Laboratory, Thalassemia Unit for the β-thalassemia trait and abnormal hemoglobin using a high-performance liquid chromatograph, a hematology analyzer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The β-thalassemia trait with increased HbA2 (>3.5%) and abnormal hemoglobin was found in 4.96% (1912/38,554) and 0.53% (206/38,554) people, respectively. Of abnormal hemoglobin findings, HbS was determined in 128 people (0.33%), HbD in 50 (0.13%), HbE in 24 (0.06%), and HbC in four (0.01%). Furthermore, in 20 of the 19,277 couples (0.05%), both partners had the β-thalassemia trait and were referred to counseling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of the β-thalassemia trait in the province of Izmir is high compared with other cities of Turkey. Izmir is a high-risk province for β-thalassemia and sickle-cell anemia. Therefore, premarital screening is essential to prevent new hereditary hemoglobinopaties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seferihisar Necat Hepkon State Hospital, Seferihisar, Izmir, Turkey. drahmetuysal@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Genc
authors.forename: Nilgün
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taşyürek
authors.forename: Bediha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Türkyilmaz
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D011291:Premarital Examinations; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins