Journal Article

Prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and beta thalassemia carriers among relatives of beta thalassemia patients in Nile Delta region, Egypt: a multicenter study

Hassab, Hoda M., Abdou, Said H., El-Dahtory, Faeza, Ahmed, Adel S., Soliman, Mohamed A., El-Farahaty, Reham M., Ragab, Seham M., Watany, Mona M., Mourad, Zeinab I., Elmabood, Suzy Abd, Yahia, Sohier, Saied, Shimaa M., El-Shanshory, Mohamed R., Guindy, Myriam A., Mansour, Ahmed K., Kabbash, Ibrahim A., Helmy, Amal M., Darwish, Ahmad, Gad ALllah, Ahmed M., Sherief, Laila M.

2021

Overview

BackgroundScreening of β thalassemia among close relatives is more feasible in highly prevalent countries with limited resources. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of β thalassemia carriers and iron deficiency anemia among relatives of β thalassemia patients in Mid Delta, Egypt.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional multi-center study conducted on 2118 relatives of patients with β thalassemia from different Egyptian governorates in the Mid Delta region. They were subjected to history taking with precise determination of geographic location, general examination, and the following investigations: complete blood counts, serum ferritin for those who showed microcytic hypochromic anemia, and high-performance liquid chromatography for those who were not diagnosed as iron deficiency anemia.ResultsThe total prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among close relatives of confirmed β thalassemia patients in the Nile Delta region was 17.19%. The highest prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (45.05%) was reported in Al-Gharbia Governorate, followed by Al-Menoufia Governorate (21.67%), and the lowest prevalence was that of Al-Sharkia Governorate (4.91%). The differences were highly statistically significant (p < 0.001). β thalassemia carrier prevalence rate in the studied relatives was 35.84%, with the highest prevalence detected in Al-Sharkia Governorate (51.32%), followed by Kafr-Alsheikh and Al-Dakahilia Governorates (41.78%, 37.13%) respectively, while Al-Menoufia Governorate had the lowest prevalence rate (25.00%). These differences were also highly statistically significant (p < 0.001).ConclusionMore than one-third of relatives of patients with β thalassemia are carriers of the disease, while 17.19% suffer from iron deficiency anemia. This study demonstrates the importance of tracing the high number of beta thalassemia carriers among relatives of patients with β thalassemia in Egypt.

• Publisher: Springer Nature B.V,Springer Berlin Heidelberg,SpringerOpen
• Subject: Anemia / Blood diseases / Egypt / Iron / Medical screening / Mid Delta / Patients / Screening / Thalassemia carriers