Hemoglobinopathies Observed in the Population of the Southeastern United States (SE-USA)

Abstract

A survey of nearly 250,000 citizens of Georgia and South Carolina conducted during the past twenty years has led to the detection of over 40 abnormal hemoglobins and several additional hemoglobinopathies. The presence of some of these hemoglobin abnormalities cause (severe) clinical symptoms but others remain undetected unless a specific search is initiated. The incidence of Hb S varies slightly among the populations of different areas, and appears to be the highest in the coastal counties of Georgia and South Carolina. A survey of over 17,000 persons of mainly high school and college age has shown that a significant number of cases with clinically significant hemoglobinopathies will remain undetected unless such surveys are actively promoted.