Division of Genetics: Hemoglobinopathies, Recommendations, URMC

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Recommends Hemoglobinopathy Screening
for Pregnant Women.

Group At-Risk	Condition	Incidence
African-Americans	Sickle Cell Trait Hemoglobin C trait b-thalassemia trait	8% 3% 1%
Hispanic -Americans	Sickle cell trait	4%
Mediterranean origin	b-thalassemia trait	1-10%
Indian/Pakistani origin	b-thalassemia trait Hemoglobin D trait	1-15% 1-3%
Southeast Asians	b-thalassemia trait Hemoglobin E trait	1-15% 1-15%

Cellulose acetate electrophoresis is the preferred test for abnormal hemoglobins.
Column chromotography is the method of choice for determining % Hemoglobin A₂ which, if elevated, indicates b-thalassemia trait.

References
HEMOGLOBIN: Bunn & Forget p.324
THE THALASSEMIA SYNDROMES: Weatherall & Clegg
Schneider, R.G.; Blood 48:629, 1976
Motulsky, A.G.; N.Engl. J.Med. 288:31 1973
Pediatrics; Vol 98, No. 3, Sept 1996, p 492

Comments/Suggestions to: Mary_True@urmc.rochester.edu

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Recommends Hemoglobinopathy Screening for Pregnant Women.

References

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Recommends Hemoglobinopathy Screening
for Pregnant Women.