Significance of Haemoglobin Electrophoresis in Detecting Abnormal Hb variants

The most common causes of microcytic hypo chromic anemia are iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and beta thalassemia trait (BTT). Thalassemia is the group of genetic blood disorders. It is characterized by reduced synthesis of normal hemoglobin due to absence or decreased synthesis of one or more globin chains..Thalassemia is divided into alpha and beta thalassemia. Beta thalassemia is also known as Mediterranean anemia. Beta-Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder characterized by the absent or decreased synthesis of ?- chain , results in the imbalance between ? and ? chain. Beta thalassemia is further divided into beta thalassemia major, minor/trait and intermediate. Thalassemia major is also called ?Cooley?s anemia?. Thalassemia minor is also known as ?beta-thalassemia trait?, carrier /heterozygous thalassemia.4 In beta thalassemia trait (BTT) one of two globin genes is abnormal. Patients with thalassemia trait act as a carrier of the disease. Thalassemia trait also combines with variant hemoglobin (HbE, HbS) to produce the other disorders like HbE Beta thalassemia, sickle cell beta thalassemia.5 Differential diagnosis is important for prognosis and treatment of the disease. Iron deficiency anemia is detected by serum iron profile. Beta thalassemia trait is detected by Hb electrophoresis method with HbA2level (greater than3.5%).