Humans ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal/genetics*

Humans ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hemoglobinopathies/therapy* ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal

Background: Hemoglobinopathies as a group is one of the most common conditions confirmed through the newborn screening (NBS) program of the Philippines. This led to the increased participation of pediatric hematologists in the NBS program. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess newborn screening acceptance and knowledge of pediatric hematologists using an online questionnaire. Method: Members of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Hematology (PSPH), who are practicing pediatric hematologists in the Philippines, were invited to answer an online questionnaire. Results: Sixty members of the PSPH (65.2%) answered the survey. All the respondents are familiar with the newborn screening program. Fifty-seven respondents (95 %) have already managed a case of hemoglobinopathy identified through the newborn screening program. Differences in the approach to management and level of confidence with diagnostic test result interpretation have been noted. General themes of their concerns include being unaware of the protocol, concerns on delays in confirmatory tests, request for guidelines on follow-up, and incongruence of results with clinical picture. Conclusion The information collected may be used to develop strategies to better equip our pediatric hematologists and assist the PSPH standardize management protocols for hemoglobinopathies.
hemoglobinopathies ; newborn screening

Humans ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal/genetics* ; Oxygen

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

Optimal glycaemic control is crucial in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) to avoid episodes of hypoglycaemia and both micro- and macrovascular complications. Diabetic control relies mainly on the evaluation of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is unfortunately unreliable in patients with haemoglobinopathies. This case report describes a patient with type 2 DM and haemoglobin J (HbJ) trait, which resulted in erratic HbA1c values throughout her follow-up. Other approaches, such as self-blood glucose monitoring, are needed to evaluate glycaemic control instead of relying on HbA1c alone to guide the management DM in these patients.
Glycated Hemoglobin ; Hemoglobinopathies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the abnormal hemoglobinopathy in couples of child-bearing age in Chongqing. METHODS: A total of 34 800 subjects of child-bearing age were screened for thalassemia by using capillary electrophoresis from January 2015 to September 2018. PCR-flow cytometry fluorescence hybridization assay was used to detect the common thalassemia gene deletions and mutations. RESULTS: 8 kinds of abnormal hemoglobinopathy were detected in 200 cases from 34 800 subjects of child-bearing age, the detection rate was 0.57% in couples of child-bearing age in Chongqing: Among 200 cases of abnormal hemoglobin pathy, Hb E was found in 90 cases (accounting for 45.0%), and Hb D in 25 cases (accounting for 12.5%). Hb NewYork was found in 25 cases (accounting for 12.5%). HbJ-bangkok was found in 25 cases (accounting for 12.5%), and Hb Q-Thailand in 16 cases (accounting for 8.0%). Hb Hope was detected in 15 cases (accounting for 7.5%). Hb S was detected in 3 cases (accounting for 1.5%). Hb Hasharon was detected in 1 case (accounting for 0.5%). The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) of Hb E and Hb Q-Thailand were lower than normal reference intervals. CONCLUSION The detection rate of abnormal hemoglobinopathy in Chongqing is higher than the average level in China. Capillary electrophoresis can effectively screen abnormal hemoglobinopathy, which is great significant for aristogenesis and improvement of population quality.
Child ; China ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal ; Humans ; Thailand ; Thalassemia

Introduction: Thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies are autosomal-recessive red blood cell disorders affecting hemoglobin (Hb) quantity and/or quality. Clinical manifestations vary from clinically asymptomatic to transfusion dependent individuals. These disorders are global in scope and is prevalent in Southeast Asia hence screening in the Philippines is very crucial for its prevention and control. Objective: Our retrospective study aimed to determine the frequency of thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies in patients referred to the Molecular Genetics Unit, Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines, Manila for High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) screening. Methods: Blood samples from patients (n=622) sent by hematologists from different parts of the country from October 2008 to February 2015 were analyzed. Extracted whole blood samples from the subjects were anticoagulated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and were analyzed using BIORAD VARIANT™ HPLC Testing System and VARIANT™ Beta Thalassemia Short (BTS) Program kit for the detection of abnormalities in hemoglobin. Interpretation of results were based on the submitted mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) values, and Hb typing via HPLC of the patients. Results: Approximately twenty-nine percent (29.10%, n=181) of subjects were presumptively identified with thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies by HPLC. Beta-thalassemia trait, Hb E trait, and beta-thalassemia/Hb E disease were detected in 65 (10.45 %), 14 (2.25 %), and 3 (0.48 %) subjects, respectively. While suspected alpha-thalassemia, presumably Hb H disease, was found in 99 (15.92 %) patients. Interestingly, seventy-two percent (72.11%, n=318) of the patients with normal Hb typing via HPLC have low MCV and MCH values. Conclusion Results of this study provide the spectrum and frequency of thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies in patients referred to our laboratory for HPLC analysis.
Thalassemia ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Erythrocyte Indices

The modalities currently employed to screen for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)/prediabetes are HbA1(c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and 2-hour plasma glucose (PG) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The purpose of this review is to highlight the positive qualities and pitfalls of these diagnostic modalities and reflect on the most reasonable and effective approach to screen high risk youth. Given its inherent preanalytical advantages, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1(c)) continues to be the preferred diagnostic modality used by pediatricians to screen high risk youth. However, when the three aforementioned tests are performed in youths of different races/ethnicities, discrepant results for T2DM/prediabetes are observed. The prevalence rates for T2DM vary from 0.53% in Chinese youth (including youth of all body mass indexes) to 18.3% in high-risk, overweight, obese Korean youth. Moreover, the FPG is abnormal (>100 less than <126 mg/dL) in 15% of Korean youth versus 8.7% of Chinese youth. The prevalence rates for prediabetes are 1.49% in Chinese youth versus 21% in Emirati youth (HbA1(c), 5.7%–6.4%). The coefficient of agreement, k, between these screening tests for T2DM are fair, 0.45–0.5 across all youth. However, using HbA1(c) as a comparator, the agreement is weak with FPG (k=0.18 in German youth versus k=0.396 in Korean youth). The American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Medical Care Guidelines define “high risk youth” who need to be tested for T2DM and/or prediabetes. OGTT and HbA1(c) do not always detect T2DM in similar individuals. HbA1(c) may not be an ideal test for screening Hispanic and African American youth. FPG and OGTT are suitable screening tests for youth of ethnic minorities and those with cystic fibrosis or hemoglobinopathies. Performing all three tests either together or sequentially may be the only way to encompass all youth who have aberrations in different aspects of glucose homeostasis.
Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Glucose ; Cystic Fibrosis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Hispanic Americans ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Overweight ; Prediabetic State ; Prevalence

Genetic hemoglobin disorders are caused by mutations and/or deletions in the α-globin or β-globin genes. Thalassemia is caused by quantitative defects and hemoglobinopathies by structural defect of hemoglobin. The incidence of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy is increased in Korea with rapid influx of people from endemic areas. Thus, the awareness of the disease is needed. α-thalassemias are caused by deletions in α-globin gene, while β-thalassemias are associated with decreased synthesis of β-globin due to β-globin gene mutations. Hemoglobinopathies involve structural defects in hemoglobin due to altered amino acid sequence in the α- or β-globin chains. When the patient is suspected with thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy from abnormal complete blood count findings and/or family history, the next step is detecting hemoglobin abnormality using electrophoresis methods including high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The development of novel molecular genetic technologies, such as massively parallel sequencing, facilitates a more precise molecular diagnosis of thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy. Moreover, prenatal diagnosis using genetic testing enables the prevention of thalassemia birth and pregnancy complications. We aimed to review the spectrum and classification of thalassemia/hemoglobinopathy diseases and the diagnostic strategies including screening tests, molecular genetic tests, and prenatal diagnosis.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Anemia ; Blood Cell Count ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Classification ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Diagnosis ; Electrophoresis ; Erythrocytes ; Genetic Testing ; Hematology ; Hemoglobinopathies ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Biology ; Parturition ; Pregnancy Complications ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Thalassemia