Spectrum of hemoglobin variants in the population of northern region of west bengal: an ethnogenetic proposition.
BACKGROUND
The birth of transfusion-dependent states of hemoglobinopathies including thalassemias is preventable by population screening and genetic counseling. Magnitude is not addressed in the Northern Region of West Bengal where many ethnic variants inhabit.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the following study is to find out the burden of different entities of hemoglobinopathies, their correlation with ethnicity and the "at risk" groups.


METHODS
A descriptive study was conducted from the Hematology Unit of North Bengal Medical College over 1 year on the subjects underwent screening for hemoglobinopathies for detection of abnormal hemoglobin (Hb) variants by "cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography" principle along with other relevant tests.


METHODS
Data was analyzed by frequency distribution and Chi-square test assuming P value as 95% of the level of significance using the SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A).


RESULTS
Abnormal Hb variant was 47.5% among 1872. Hb E trait (34.4%) was most common followed by Hb E disease (25.3%) and others. Hb E disorders (92.7%) were observed mostly among Rajbangsi population while E-β-thalassemias (40%) in the Muslims and a heterogeneous pattern noted among tribal and mongoloid.


CONCLUSIONS
Hb E hemoglobinopathies was high among Rajbangsi and Muslims with identification of some other hemoglobinopathies involving tribal and mongoloid.
Department of Pathology, Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, North Bengal Medical College, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Bidyut Krishna
BK
Goswami
Department of Pathology, Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, North Bengal Medical College, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Raghunath
R
Pramanik
Department of Pathology, Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, North Bengal Medical College, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Sudipta
S
Chakrabarty
Department of Community Medicine, Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, North Bengal Medical College, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Partha Pratim
PP
Pal
Department of Immune-Hematology Medical Officer, Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, North Bengal Medical College, Dist. Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Sarama
S
Banerjee
Department of Pathology, Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan, West Bengal, India.
Arghya
A
Bandyopadhyay
Ethnicity; Northern region of West Bengal; hemoglobinopathies; high-performance liquid chromatography; thalassemias