Author/Authors :
El-Beshlawy, A. Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Paediatrics, Egypt , Kaddah, N. Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Paediatrics, Egypt , Moustafa, A. Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Clinical Pathology, Egypt , Mouktar, G. Ain-Shams University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Paediatrics, Egypt , Youssry, I. Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Paediatrics, Egypt
Abstract :
To estimate β-thalassaemia carrier rate and to determine an accurate mass screening test, we tested 1000 randomly selected children aged 5-16 years from different geographical areas of Egypt. Microcytosis was present in 412 participants. The osmotic fragility test was positive in 81.1% of the 90 β-thalassaemia carriers; in the indeterminate group (12 participants), the test was positive in 83.3%; in the 310 who were iron deficient, the test was positive in 63.9%. p-thalassaemia carrier rate was 9%. Serum iron, microcytosis, HbA2 level and transferrin saturation were accurate tests for detecting carriers. For the one-tube osmotic fragility test, sensitivity was 87.0% and specificity 34.1%; the test has limited use for a mass screening programme in Egypt, where iron deficiency is prevalent.
