Characteristics and distribution of ? thalassemia haplotypes in South China

Abstract
Eleven restriction site polymorphisms in the β-globin gene cluster were determined in 48 Chinese with homozygous β-thalassemia and their parents. Seven haplotypes were identified as associated with the βthal chromosome and 25 with the βA chromosome. The distribution of the various βthal haplotypes in different regions of South China was mapped and discussed in relation to prenatal diagnosis and migration of the Chinese people.