title: Hemoglobin levels and red blood cell indices in mid-gestational fetuses with beta-thalassemia/HbE, beta-thalassemia trait or Hb E trait and normal fetuses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare red blood cell indices among normal, beta-thalassemia trait or hemoglobin (Hb) E trait, and beta-thalassemia/Hb E diseases mid-gestational fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred seventy-five fetuses at risk of beta-thalassemia/Hb E disease undergoing cordocentesis with determination of Hb levels and red blood cell indices at mid-pregnancy were recruited. The fetal diagnoses were based on fetal Hb typing and DNA analysis. The fetuses were divided into three groups: normal, beta-thalassemia trait or Hb E trait, and beta-thalassemia/Hb E disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of beta-thalassemia/Hb E disease, beta-thalassemia trait or Hb E trait, and normal fetuses was 32.6% (57 cases), 28.6% (50 cases) and 36.6% (64 cases), respectively. Mean Hb levels and red blood cell indices were not significantly different among the three groups of fetuses. However, almost 10% of beta-thalassemia/Hb E fetuses had some degree of anemia. The most anemic fetuses had a β(0) mutation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is no significant difference in Hb level and red blood cell indices among fetuses at risk of beta-thalassemia/Hb E disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kasemsri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Srisupundit
authors.forename: Chanane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wanapirak
authors.forename: Supatra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirichotiyakul
authors.forename: Fuanglada
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tongprasert
authors.forename: Suchaya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leuwan
authors.forename: Kuntharee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Traisrisilp
authors.forename: Theera
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tongsong
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017218:Cordocentesis; D004909:Erythrocyte Indices; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006446:Hemoglobin E / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000097:blood*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D006446:Hemoglobin E; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin