β-Thalassemia major births after national screening program in Taiwan

Objective. A National Thalassemia Screening Program was adopted in Taiwan in 1993. This report examined that program's results and impact. Methods. Patients with β-thalassemia major born between 1994 and 2003 were recruited through the help of all thalassemia clinics in Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the reasons for affected births. Results. There were 97 affected births from 1994 to 2003.These births resulted after informed choice (n = 4), screening problems (n = 83), and undetermined causes (n = 10). Approximately 83% (5/6) of affected births in 2003 came from interracial marriages. Conclusions. This report has identified several areas that might improve the thalassemia-screening program, including carrier screening in high school rather than in early pregnancy and the involvement of genetic counselors, providing care of new female immigrants. ? 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.