Thalassemia among Chinese-Bostonians. Usefulness of the hemoglobin H preparation

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Abstract
Microcytosis was noted in 14.7% of the complete blood cell count reports of Chinese subjects. Of these subjects'' conditions 149 were further evaluated by Hb electrophoresis, Hb H inclusion bodies preparation, Hb A2 quantitation and ferritin assay. Cases (91) of .alpha.-thalassemia-1 trait and 49 cases of .beta.-thalassemia trait were diagnosed. In this study population, the prevalence of thalassemia trait and of Fe deficiency resulting in microcytosis was 13.8% and 3.4%, respectively. The Hb H preparation was found to be clinically useful and reliable for detecting .alpha.-thalassemia-1 trait in Chinese carriers, after the exclusion of Fe deficiency and .beta.-thalassemia by routine studies.