Impact of a National Beta-Thalassemia Carrier Screening Program on the Birth Rate of Thalassemia Major
Resource
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER v.46 n.1 pp.72-76
Journal
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
Journal Volume
v.46
Journal Issue
n.1
Pages
72-76
Date Issued
2006
Date
2006
Author(s)
CHEN, JIMMY PENG-SHENG
LIN, KAI-HSIN
SU, YI-NING
LU, MENG-YAO
JOU, SHIANN-TARNG
LIN, DONG-TSAMN
WANG, SHIH-CHUNG
LIN, KUO-SIN
Abstract
Background. In Taiwan, the prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait is at least 1.1%. The Taiwan government initiated a National Screening Program in 1993. Herein we examine the differences before and after the initiation of this program. Procedure. Data consisting of the total number of patients and the birth prevalence beta-thalassemia major were collected. Ninetyone patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia treated in our hospitals were included for analysis. DNA analysis was performed for 86 patients. Results. In Taiwan 361 patients exist. The birth prevalence of per 100,000 births was 5.6% in 1994 and declined to 1.21 in 2002. Fourteen patients were born after the program's initiation. DNA analysis of them revealed a new mutation ( IVS-1-5 (G-C)), which was introduced through an interracial marriage. Otherwise, the remainder was the common beta- thalassemia mutations found in Taiwan. Conclusions. Despite how successful the National Screening Program is, a few doctors still failed to detect parents at risk. In addition, we are concerned about the emerging problem of the increase of interracial marriages where parents may not have appropriate screening. Hence, postgraduate education programs for physicians, health education for the general population, and timely screening of inter-racial marriage should become a priority.
Subjects
anemia
beta thalassemia major
Colley's
epidemiology
hematology
hemoglobinopathies
Type
journal article