Prevalence of thalassaemia, iron-deficiency anaemia and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency among Arab migrating nomad children, southern Islamic republic of Iran/Prevalence de la thalassemie, de l'anemie ferriprive et du deficit en glucose-6-phosphate deshydrogenase chez des enfants nomades et migrants arabes (sud de la Republique islamique d'Iran)

• Published in: Eastern Mediterranean health journal Vol. 20; no. 11; pp. 726 - 731
• Main Authors: Pasalar, M, Mehrabani, D, Afrasiabi, A, Mehravar, Z, Reyhani, I, Hamidi, R, Karimi, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria World Health Organization 01-11-2014
• Subjects: Age; Analysis; Anemia; Confidence intervals; Counseling; Dehydrogenases; Demographic aspects; Diagnosis; Drinking water; Elementary school students; Families & family life; Family; Family medical history; Females; Glucose; Health aspects; Health facilities; Hematology; Laboratories; Marriage; Mineral deficiency; Mortality; Nomads; Population; Public health; Students; Studies; Iran
• ISSN: 1020-3397; 1020-3397; 1687-1634

This study investigated the prevalence of iron-deficiency anaemia, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and [beta]-thalassaemia trait among Arab migrating nomad children in southern Islamic Republic of Iran. Blood samples were analysed from 134 schoolchildren aged < 18 years (51 males, 83 females). Low serum ferritin (< 12 ng/dL) was present in 17.9% of children (21.7% in females and 11.8% in males). Low haemoglobin (Hb) correlated significantly with a low serum ferritin. Only 1 child had G6PD deficiency. A total of 9.7% of children had HbA2 [greater than or equal to] 3.5 g/dL, indicating [beta]-thalassaemia trait (10.8% in females and 7.8% in males). Mean serum iron, serum ferritin and total iron binding capacity were similar in males and females. Serum ferritin index was as accurate as Hb index in the diagnosis of iron-deficiency anaemia. A high prevalence of [beta]-thalassaemia trait was the major potential risk factor in this population. La presente etude a evalue la prevalence de l'anemie ferriprive, du deficit en glucose-6-phosphate deshydrogenase et de la beta-thalassemie mineure chez des enfants nomades et migrants arabes dans le sud de la Republique islamique d'Iran. Des echantillons de sang de 134 ecoliers de moins de 18 ans ont ete analyses (51 garcons, 83 filles). Des taux de ferritine serique faibles (< 12 ng/dL) ont ete observes chez 17, 9 % des enfants (21, 7 % chez les filles et 11, 8 % chez les garcons). Un faible taux d'hemoglobine (Hb) etait significativement correle a un faible taux de ferritine serique. Seul un enfant etait atteint de deficit en glucose-6-phosphate deshydrogenase. Au total, 9, 7 % des enfants presentaient un taux d'HbA2 superieur ou egal a 3, 5 g/dL, signe d'une beta-thalassemie mineure (10, 8 % des filles et 7, 8 % des garcons). Le taux moyen de fer serique, de la ferritine serique et la capacite de liaison du fer total etaient similaires chez les deux sexes. Le taux de ferritine serique etait aussi precis que le taux d'Hb pour le diagnostic de l'anemie ferriprive. La forte prevalence de la beta-thalassemie mineure representait le principal facteur de risque dans cette population.