The prevalence and molecular spectrum of α- and β-globin gene mutations in 14,332 families of Guangdong Province, China.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To reveal the familial prevalence and molecular variation of α- and β-globin gene mutations in Guangdong Province.

Methods

A total of 40,808 blood samples from 14,332 families were obtained and analyzed for both hematological and molecular parameters.

Results

A high prevalence of α- and β-globin gene mutations was found. Overall, 17.70% of pregnant women, 15.94% of their husbands, 16.03% of neonates, and 16.83% of couples (pregnant women and their husbands) were heterozygous carriers of α- or β-thalassemia. The regions with the highest prevalence were the mountainous and western regions, followed by the Pearl River Delta; the region with the lowest prevalence was Chaoshan. The total familial carrier rate (both spouses were α- or β-thalassemia carriers) was 1

SUBMITTER: Yin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3937408 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature