Kiran Iqbal, Irem Iqbal, Nabeela Shami.
Frequency of Betathalassemia Trait in Pregnant Females.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;12(3):1200-2.

Aim: To study frequency of Thalassemia trait in pregnant females presenting with hypochromic microcytic anemia in first trimester. Study design: A descriptive Cross sectional study . Place and duration of study: Ghurki Teaching Trust Hospital during May 2016 till April 2017. Methods: This study was conducted in Ghurki Teaching Trust Hospital during May 2016 till April 2017. 120 pregnant patients presenting in outpatient department with hypochromic microcytic anemia for antenatal checkup in first trimester included in this study. Complete blood counts , Serum Ferritin and Hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis were done in all case. Beta-thalassemia trait was diagnosed in case of Hb A2 level >3.5% . Results: Pregnant women age ranged from 17 to 42 with mean 2 6.4 +/- 4.3 years. Hemoglobin ranges from 5 to 10.5 g/dl with mean 8.5+/-0.5g/dl. With Hemoglobin electrophoresis, 9(7.5%) women found to have thalassemia trait. Conclusion: Screening for thalassemia should be mandatory for all antenatal women presenting with hypochromia and microcytosis to prevent thalassemia major in successive generations.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com