title: Prevalence of microcytosis in neonates: a cross-sectional study in Tehran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Identification of α thalassemia (α thal) a common cause of microcytosis during neonatal periods is an important step prevent unnecessary interventions. Thus, low the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) may consider as α-thalassemia key detection points. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of microcytosis among neonates who born in Tehran, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cord blood samples were collected from 1001 newborns after birth in labor room and their red blood cell parameters were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCV was 114.2 fl (95% CI: 113.5-114.9) and twenty three neonates (2.3%) had MCV less than 94 fL that classified as microcytosis and 4 (0.40%) had both low MCH and MCV.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low MCV especially in normal Hb newborns may hints for α thal detection.
authors: 1. MD, Assistant Professor, Neonatologist, Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nasrinkhalessi6@gmail.com.
authors: Nasrin
authors: N
authors: Khalesi
authors: 2. MD, Associate Professor , Neonatologist, Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nastarankhosravi6@gmail.com.
authors: Nastaran
authors: N
authors: Khosravi
authors: 3. MD, Neonatologist, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nasrinkhalessi6@gmail.com.
authors: Mohammad Reza
authors: MR
authors: Rezaee
authors: 4. MSc, Instructor, Midwifery Department, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. amini.l@iums.ac.ir.
authors: Leila
authors: L
authors: Amini
keywords: Hb Barts; Thalassemia; mean corpuscular hemoglobin; microcytosis