Thalassemia and other Hemoglobinopathies in Bangladeshi Children

: Background- Worldwide, Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies are the most common inherited disorders with a wide geographical variation in incidence. Bangladesh is situated in a thalassemia tending region but this hereditary disorder receives little attention yet and unfortunately there is no definitive national data regarding incidence and socio-demographic profile of Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies in the country. Objective- This study was undertaken to determine the current situation of the occurrence and socio-demographic profile of thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies among Bangladeshi children. Methods- It was a prospective study conducted from January 2015 to December 2016.  All newly diagnosed children with Thalassemia major and other Hemoglobinopathies in Dhaka Shishu Hospital (children) Thalassemia center were included in the study. Consideration was given to total number of cases, age at presentation, sex distribution and types. Hb% was done in every patient after enrollment.   Result- Among total 432 affected children, male female ratio was 1.6:1 in which E-β Thalassemia, β Thalassemia major and Hb E disease were 68.50%, 31% and 0.5% respectively. Consanguineous marriage was found in 14% parents. Conclusions- E-β Thalassemia was found the commonest type of thalassemia among Bangladeshi children.