THE OCCURRENCE OF HETEROZYGOUS BETA–THALASSAEMIA AS SCREENED BY QUANTITATIVE HAEMOGLOBIN ELECTROPHORESIS IN PREGNANCY

Abstract

Six hundred patients selected at random from antenatal clinics at this hospital were screened by quantitative hæmoglobin electrophoresis for beta-thalassæmia. The technique proved to be a simple, rapid and reliable means of screening for the disorder, and an overall incidence of 2·8% of beta-thalassæsmia (7·9% in Greeks and 5·4% in Italians examined) was found.