DETERMINATION OF HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND FETAL HAEMOGLOBIN LEVEL IN RELATIVES OF PATIENTS WITH BETA-THALASSEMIA MAJOR (GAZERA STATE-SUDAN)

Abstract

This a cross sectional study was undertaken at Mabroka village in the Gazeera state between November 2008-Fabruary 2009. The study aimed at assessing of the complete blood count and the fetal haemoglobin level in the parents and siblings of beta thalassemia patients. Fetal haemoglobin level was measured by an alkali denaturation procedure. A total number of 50 relatives of beta thlassemia patients were consecutively recruited. The age of the study group were found to be ranged from 10 to 98 year old. The mean of the total haemoglobin level within males was 12.6 ± 1.6 g/dl and within females was11.7 ± 1.4 g/dl. The mean of the MCV for all population was 79.6 ± 8.7 fl, the mean of the MCH was 23.8 ± 3.8 pg, the mean of the MCHC was 30 ± 1.4 g/dl and the mean of the fetal haemoglobin was 3 ± 1.4 %. The study revealed that, there was no correlation between the age and fetal haemoglobin level among the study population. The results strongly suggested that these participants might be carriers to B-Thalassemia gene. The study recommended for comprehensive programs in the future to know the actual prevalence of thalassemia in the study population also health education is needed to increase the awareness among that population.