Emerging spread of β-thalassemia trait in Nigeria

Abstract

Background

Chronic anaemia mainly thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia are inherited disorders of haemoglobin. Presently about 7% of the world's populations are carriers of a potentially pathological haemoglobin gene. Sickle cell disease is a common haemoglobinopathy in Nigeria but recently cases of β-thalassemia traits are becoming prominent. This study aimed at screening for β-thalassemia in adults and children with chronic anaemia in Nigeria by assessing the patients’ level of haemoglobin F, haemoglobin A₂ and red cell indices.

Materials and methods

Haemoglobin F and HbA₂ were determined in the chronic anaemia patients by Alkaline Denaturation Method and Beta-Thal HbA₂ Quick Column Procedure respectively. Haemoglobin genotype was determined by Haemoglobin Electrophoresis at alkaline medium while Complete Blood count was estimated using Sysmex KX-2IN Autoanalyser.

Results

The mean HbF, HbA₂, HCT, MCV, MCH and MCHC of the children and adults are 2.56±0.46 and 2.45±0.87 (%); 2.05±0.25 and 1.89±0.60 (%); 0.21±0.31 and 0.21±0.36 (L/L); 81.58±12.59 and 78.69±14.11 (fL); 22.74±5.39 and 23.07±7.36 (pg); 27.52±3.84 and 31.23±14.32 (g/l) respectively. Four percent (2 subjects) of each adult and children population had increased HbF level (>1.5%) and HbA₂ levels (>2.8%) and these subjects are composed of 2 children with haemoglobin genotype AA and two adult with haemoglobin genotypes SS.

Conclusions

The outcome of this study reiterates the emergence of β-thalassemia traits and iron deficiency anaemia in different parts of Nigeria irrespective of their haemoglobin genotype status. This requires adequate specialized intervention for their diagnosis and treatment. There is therefore the need for subsequent molecular analysis to determine the β-thalassemia genes present in the studied community.