Sickle Cell, Thalassemia and other Hemoglobinopathies Recommendations
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Recommends Hemoglobinopathy Screening
for Pregnant Women.
| Group At-Risk |
Condition |
Incidence |
| African-Americans |
Sickle Cell Trait
Hemoglobin C trait
b-thalassemia trait |
8%
3%
1%
|
| Hispanic -Americans |
Sickle cell trait |
4%
|
| Mediterranean origin |
b-thalassemia trait |
1-10%
|
| Indian/Pakistani origin |
b-thalassemia trait
Hemoglobin D trait |
1-15%
1-3%
|
| Southeast Asians |
b-thalassemia trait
Hemoglobin E trait |
1-15%
1-15%
|
Cellulose acetate electrophoresis is the preferred test for abnormal hemoglobins.
Column chromotography is the method of choice for determining % Hemoglobin A2 which, if elevated, indicates b-thalassemia trait.
References HEMOGLOBIN: Bunn & Forget p.324
THE THALASSEMIA SYNDROMES: Weatherall & Clegg
Schneider, R.G.; Blood 48:629, 1976
Motulsky, A.G.; N.Engl. J.Med. 288:31 1973
Pediatrics; Vol 98, No. 3, Sept 1996, p 492
|