Rising Trend of Thalassemia Minor Among Women of Reproductive Age Residing in Rural Areas of Sindh

Anam Hassan; Rashida Akbar; Hira Mustafa; Sandal Chandio; Summiya Ali; Zara

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i5.2639

Authors

Anam Hassan Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan.
Rashida Akbar Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan.
Hira Mustafa Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan
Sandal Chandio Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan
Summiya Ali Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan.
Zara Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, People’s University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i5.2639

Keywords:

Thalassemia Minor, Rural Area, Reproductive Age.

Abstract

Introduction: A class of hereditary blood illnesses known as beta thalassemias (β thalassemias) are characterized by decreased or nonexistent synthesis of the beta chains of hemoglobin, leading to a range of phenotypes from severe anemia to clinically asymptomatic persons. Patients with beta thalassemia trait (BTT) typically have no symptoms and are unaware that they are carriers unless they are tested for the condition. The purpose of the current study was to determine the prevalence of thalassemia minor among women in rural areas who are of reproductive age. Objectives: To determine the thalassemia minor among women of reproductive age residing in rural areas of Sindh. Study Design: Descriptive study. Study duration: August 2024 to December 2024. Materials & Methods: There were 167 anemic women between the ages of 18 and 45. Patients who did not have beta thalassemia major or any other hemoglobinopathy were not included. Following the collection of pertinent medical history, hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed on cellulose acetate paper strips at a pH of 8.5. The presence or absence of beta thalassemia trait was noted, and Hb A2 was estimated by measuring the elute's absorbance using a spectrophotometer. Results: The study's participants ranged in age from 18 to 45, with a mean age of 30.38 ± 4.34 years. Ninety-one (54.49%) of the patients were in the 31–45 age range. According to this study, 10.18% of women of reproductive age had thalassemia minor. Conclusion: The study emphasizes that women of reproductive age have a higher prevalence of beta-thalassemia trait.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Fasano, R. M., Meier, E. R., & Chonat, S. (2022). Sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and hereditary hemolytic anemias. Rossi's Principles of Transfusion Medicine, 326-345.

https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119719809.ch30

2. Ishfaq, J., Khan, A. H., Khan, B. S., Aziz, T., Khalid, F., Noureen, A., & Ali, B. (2023). Molecular analysis and prenatal diagnosis of segregating Β-thalassemia. Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 17(5), 658-663.

https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs2023175658

3. Gupta, A. (2024). Thalassemia trait. Decision Making Through Problem Based Learning in Hematology, 53-62.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8933-1_4

4. Nerune, Y. (2024). Study of Pattern of Hemoglobinopathies Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Neonates and Infants”.

http://20.193.157.4:9595/handle/123456789/5591

5. Jameel, T., Baig, M., Murad, M. A., Gazzaz, Z. J., Mal, Y., Alyoubi, W. E., Alyoubi, G. H., Alaslani, S. T., Alshuaibi, H. A., Nawaz, A., & Alkaabi, T. (2024). Consanguineous marriages, premarital screening, and genetic testing: A survey among Saudi university students. Frontiers in Public Health, 12.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1328300

6. Shakoor, H. A., Ali, S., Raza, M., Khattak, N., Khan, Z. R., & Babar, F. (2024). Frequency of anemia in individuals with beta-thalassemia trait. The Professional Medical Journal, 31(04), 593-597.

https://doi.org/10.29309/tpmj/2024.31.04.7921

7. Angastiniotis, M., Petrou, M., Loukopoulos, D., Modell, B., Farmakis, D., Englezos, P., & Eleftheriou, A. (2021). The prevention of thalassemia revisited: A historical and ethical perspective by the thalassemia international Federation. Hemoglobin, 45(1), 5-12.

https://doi.org/10.1080/03630269.2021.1872612

8. Guidi, G. C. (2023). Hematological diagnostics. Clinical and Laboratory Medicine Textbook, 163-193.

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24958-7_15

9. Sari, D. P., Wahidiyat, P. A., Setianingsih, I., Timan, I. S., Gatot, D., & Kekalih, A. (2022). Hematological parameters in individuals with beta thalassemia trait in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Anemia, 2022, 1-6.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/3572986

10. Rashwan, N. I., El Abd Ahmed, A., Hassan, M. H., Mohammed, M. E., & Helmi, B. A. (2022). Hematological indices in differentiation between iron deficiency anemia and beta-thalassemia trait. Int J Pediatr, 10(1), 15285-95.

11. Khanzada, F. A., Asghar, S., Chohan, U., Najam, S., Rajput, K. K., Sami, A., & Ameer, R. (2024). The prevalence and distribution of beta thalassemia trait among outpatient individuals in a tertiary care hospital of Lodhran, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, 191-196.

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v5i11.2473

12. Abbas, H., Ahmed, N., Fareed, N., Urooj, I., Anwer, G., & Barkah, A. (2025). Hematologic profiling and spectrum of beta-thalassemia trait in reproductive-age groups. International Journal of Pathology, 23(3), 152-158.

https://doi.org/10.59736/ijp.23.03.955

13. Huang, H., Chen, M., Chen, L., Zhang, M., Wang, Y., Lin, N., & Xu, L. (2021). Prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in 695 pedigrees from southeastern China: A 10‐year follow‐up study. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 35(10).

https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.23982

14. Qadir, M., & Amir, S. (2017). Frequency of beta Thalassemia trait in pregnant anemic patients attending Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar-Pakistan. Khyber Medical University Journal, 9(4), 185-187.

https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/17371

15. Khadija, .., Arain, S. P., Alahmadi, Y. M., Alolayan, S. O., Ahmer, A., & Ahmed, T. (2021). Frequency of beta thalassemia in anemic pregnant women. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 1-5.

https://doi.org/10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i531175

16. Iqbal K, Iqbal I, Shami N. (2018). Frequency of betathalassemia trait in pregnant females. Pak J Med Health Sci, 12(3), 1200-2.

17. Kulkarni, P. (2013). The prevalence of the beta thalassemia trait among the pregnant women who attended the ANC clinic in a PHC, by using the NESTROF test in Bangalore, Karnataka. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH.

https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2013/5286.3149

18. Rizwan F, Memon F, Memon A. Frequency of thalassemia trait in pregnant women. Medical channel. 2011 Jan 1;17(1).

19. Mustafa, A., Zulfiqar, M., Ali, B. A., & Naseem, L. (2018). Frequency of S-thalassemia trait among pregnant women presenting at Pakistan Institute of medical sciences. National Journal of Health Sciences, 3(4), 118-121.

https://doi.org/10.21089/njhs.34.0118

20. Hafeez, M., Aslam, M., Ali, A., Rashid, Y., & Jafri, H. (2007). Regional and ethnic distribution of beta thalassemia mutations and effect of consanguinity in patients referred for prenatal diagnosis. PubMed, 17(3), 144–147.

21. Sarda, H., Niveditha, S. R., & Shivlingaiah, N. (2015). Screening of β-thalassemia trait among pregnant women with NESTROFT. Thalassemia Reports, 5(1), 4430.

https://doi.org/10.4081/thal.2015.4430

22. Sukrat, B., Suwathanapisate, P., Siritawee, S., Poungthong, T., & Phupongpankul, K. (2010). The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Nakhonsawan, Thailand. PubMed, 93(7), 765–770.

23. Sur, D., & Chakravorty, R. (2016). Prevalence of Hemoglobinopathies and thalassemia carriers in women of reproductive age group especially the prospective mothers: A single center study at West Bengal. Journal of Hematology, 5(3), 99-102.

https://doi.org/10.14740/jh297w

24. Qadir, M., & Amir, S. (2017). Frequency of beta Thalassemia trait in pregnant anemic patients attending Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar-Pakistan. Khyber Medical University Journal, 9(4), 185-187.

https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/17371

25. Sinha, M., Inusha Panigrahi, Shukla, J., Khanna, A., & Saxena, R. (2006). Spectrum of anemia in pregnant Indian women and importance of antenatal screening. PubMed, 49(3), 373–375.

26. Mohanty, D., Gorakshakar, A. C., Colah, R. B., Patel, R. Z., Master, D. C., Mahanta, J., Sharma, S. K., Chaudhari, U., Ghosh, M., Das, S., Britt, R. P., Singh, S., Ross, C., Jagannathan, L., Kaul, R., Shukla, D. K., & Muthuswamy, V. (2014). Interaction of iron deficiency anemia and Hemoglobinopathies among college students and pregnant women: A multi center evaluation in India. Hemoglobin, 38(4), 252-257.

https://doi.org/10.3109/03630269.2014.913517

27. Baxi, A., Manila, K., Kadhi, P., & Heena, B. (2012). Carrier screening for β thalassemia in pregnant Indian women: Experience at a single center in Madhya Pradesh. Indian Journal of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, 29(2), 71-74.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12288-012-0165-8

28. Wanapirak, C., Muninthorn, W., Sanguansermsri, T., Dhananjayanonda, P., & Tongsong, T. (2004). Prevalence of thalassemia in pregnant women at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. PubMed, 87(12), 1415–1418.

29. Sarda, H., Niveditha, S. R., & Shivlingaiah, N. (2015). Screening of β-thalassemia trait among pregnant women with NESTROFT. Thalassemia Reports, 5(1), 4430.

https://doi.org/10.4081/thal.2015.4430

30. Hossain, M. J., Das, M., Akter, M., Maruf, M. F., & Towhid, S. T. (2023). Safe marriage for thalassemia prevention: The gap between knowledge and practices among Bangladeshi University students.

https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3801245/v1

31. Ryan, K., Bain, B. J., Worthington, D., James, J., Plews, D., Mason, A., Roper, D., Rees, D. C., de la Salle, B., & Streetly, A. (2010). Significant haemoglobinopathies: guidelines for screening and diagnosis. British Journal of Haematology, 149(1), 35–49.

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.08054.x

32. Uddin, M., Ul-Haq, F., Sarfaraz, A., Khan, M., Nazim, A., Maqsood, B., Sajid, S., Nasir, N., Kamran, G., Ahmed, A., Tanweer, I., Noor, B., Akhlaq, F., & Ishrat, M. (2017). Frequency and Awareness of Thalassemia in Families with Cousin Marriages: A Study from Karachi, Pakistan. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 21(3), 1–11.

https://doi.org/10.9734/bjmmr/2017/32710