Prevalence of Abnormal Hemoglobins in Chiang Mai, Lumphun and Mae Hong Son Provinces, during 2005 - 2006

Abstract

Most abnormal hemoglobins do not cause clinical prolems but some can give rise to mild thalassemia syndrome, or cause problems in assosiation with thalassemia.  Prevalence of most abnormal hemoglobins are rare except for hemoglobin E and hemoglobin Constant Spring which are common and vary by regions.  In all,  2,404 blood samples collected from October 2005 to September 2006 were analysed for hemoglobin typing at Regional Medical Sciences Centre Chiang Mai.  1233 (51.3%), 499 (20.8%) and 672 (27.9%) cases were form hospitals in Chiang Mai, Lumphun and Mae Hong Son provinces respectively.  The results showed that the overall incidence of abnormal hemoglobins was 19.5 percent which were classified as follows : hemoglobin E 16.4 percent, hemoglobin Constant Spring 2.3 percent, hemoglobin Hope 0.67 percent, hemoglobin Tak 0.04 percent and hemoglobin Q Thailand 0.04 percent.  The prevalence of hemoglobin E in Chiang Mai, Lumphun and Mae Hong Son provinces were 18.6 percent, 16.6 percent and 12.4 percent respectively.  Thus the prevalence of hemoglobin Constant Spring were 2.9 percent, 1.6 percent and 1.6 percent respectively.  The data should be useful in planning, preventing and control of thalassemia and particularly provision of relevant counselling.