Reducing the Burden of Beta Thalassemia Major Through Sibling Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study in Karachi

Ghazal Irfan, Maeesa Wadood, Munazza Rashid, Muhammad Khan, Sarah Azhar and Tooba Khan

ABSTRACT

Objective:To screen β-Thalassemia trait in siblings of β-Thalassemia major patients in Karachi

Study Design:An observational cross sectional research.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at theMuhammadi Institute of Hematology, Baqai Medical University Karachi from July 2022 to December 2022.

Methods:Siblings of β-thalassemia major patients were included after informed consent from the siblings or their guardian. Data included was complete history, general physical examination and laboratory testing in terms of blood samples and high-performance liquid chromatography. For data analysis, SPSS v23.0 was used to compere variables between carrier and non-carriers using independent t-test keeping p<0.05 statistically significant.

Results:400 siblings were screened, out of which 168 (42%) were carriers of β-thalassemia trait. 243 (60.75 %) siblings were male while 157 (39.25 %) males. On CBC, carriers showed a significant reduction in MCV and MCH, while RBC count was higher. HbA, HbF, and Hb A2 levels showed significant difference in-between the two groups. Ethnicity and various RBC morphology variables were found to have statistical difference between carriers and non-carriers of β-thalassemia siblings.

Conclusion:Among the screened siblings of β-thalassemia major patients, a high incidence of β-thalassemia trait was reported. Therefore, proper screening for siblings of β-thalassemia major patients should be recommended and made compulsory for better outcomes.

Key Words:β-thalassemia, Chromatography, Screening

Citation of article:Irfan G, Wadood M, Rashid M, Khan M, Azhar S, KhanT, Reducing the Burden of Beta Thalassemia Major Through Sibling Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study in Karachi.Med Forum2024;35(12):180-184.doi:10.60110/medforum.351240.