Significance of Red Cell Count for the Detection of Thalassemia Minor

Abstract

Thalassemia minor is known to be a hereditary disease involving affected globin chains. In Thalassemia minor, the fetus inherits haemoglobin genes during fertilization, each from the mother and the father, respectively. Individuals with a defect in one gene are known as carriers of Thalassemia minor. There are different procedures available for the detection of Thalassemia minor but most of them are expensive, so a study was designed at Microbiology department of Jinnah University for Women to check the total RBC count of known Thalassemia minor patients. In this study, one hundred (100) blood samples of known Thalassemia minor individuals were collected. The results showed increased levels of red cell count in Thalassemia minor patients as compared to the controls (normal persons) which were correlated with naked-eye single tube Red cell osmotic fragility test (NESTROFT). The results were further confirmed by the evaluation of red cell indices by complete blood count test. Thalassemia minor patients have hypochromic microcytic red blood cells with increased red blood cell number and they may have mild anemia but are usually asymptomatic. The main purpose of this study is to give awareness to our community about Thalassemia minor and its cheap diagnosis which can differentiate it from other types of anemia.