Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Correlative study of Mentzerâ??s index, RDWI and Hb electrophoresis for β-thalassemia trait

3^rd International Conference on Hematology & Blood Disorders

November 02-04, 2015 Atlanta, USA

Suhailur Rehman1, Sayeedul Hasan Arif1, Asim Israr Khan1, Aiman Khalid1 and Sana Siddiqui2

1Aligarh Muslim University, India 2BRD Medical College, India

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Blood Disord Transfus

Abstract:

The two most frequent types of microcytic anemia are beta thalassemia trait (β-TT) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Differentiation between the two is very important as individuals with the β-TT are usually asymptomatic and may be unaware of their carrier status unless diagnosed. It is estimated that about 50% of the world�??s population with β-TT are in Southeast Asia. Electronic cell counters have been used to determine Mentzer index and Red cell distribution width index (RDWI) as a screening tool for β-TT. However, a definitive diagnosis of β-TT is based on the level of HbA2 on Hb electrophoresis. Considering the importance of diagnosing β-TT at an earlier stage, this study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of Mentzer index and RDWI as a screening tool for β-TT. All those patients who are having MCV<80, Mentzer index<13 and RDWI<220 were included in this study. A total of 1418 patients were having MCV<80, out of which 58 patients were having Mentzer index<13 and 54 patients having RDWI<220. Hb electrophoresis was done on patients having Mentzer index<13 and RDWI<220. Hb A2 level between 3.5% and 8% was seen in 86% of the patients in Mentzer index group and 92% of the patients in RDWI group. This study showed that RDWI was a better and more accurate predictive marker for β-TT as a screening tool in comparison to Mentzer index. The importance of Mentzer index and RDWI lies in the fact that both the screening methods can be used to determine the patients who are the best candidates for Hb electrophoresis. This will ease the diagnosis of β-TT, especially in developing and under developed countries where the facilities are not available so easily.

Biography :

Suhailur Rehman has completed his MBBS and MD Pathology from JN Medical College, AMU, India. He has worked in SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India as a Senior Resident in Transfusion Medicine. Presently he is working in JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh, India. He has 13 papers published, out of which 11 are published in international and 2 in national journals. He has presented 10 Oral papers and 24 poster papers in various Conferences.

Email: suhailurrehman2k2@gmail.com