Shine & Lal index as a predictor for early detection of β-thalassemia carriers in a limited resource area in Bandung, Indonesia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Thalassemia is the most common inherited disease in the world, involving α- or β-globin in red blood cells. Thalassemia cases rank fifth in the list of national catastrophic diseases in Indonesia; however, nationwide screening for thalassemia carriers is not yet mandatory. This study aimed to assess whether blood count metrics, such as the Shine & Lal index (SLI; MCV*MCV*MCH/100), might serve as a predictor to screen thalassemia carriers in a limited resource area where molecular methods are not readily available.

Methods

During a family gathering of thalassemia patients, family members (n196) underwent a complete blood count test. Those with MCV < 80 fL and/or MCH < 27 pg and/or SLI < 1530 were further examined for Hb analysis. Only samples with HbA2 fraction > 4

SUBMITTER: Maskoen AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6688316 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature