Prevalence of Various Hemoglobinopathies-An Experience from Tertiary Care Centre

Objective: To find out the prevalence of thalassemias and various other hemoglobinopathies in state of Haryana and to assess the role of High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for accurate and quick diagnosis of various hemoglobin disorders. Methods: This study was conducted in Pt. B. D. Sharma, PGIMS, Rohtak from July 2010 to October 2016 for hemoglobin variant screening by HPLC of total of 4275 patients, selected through multistage random sampling technique. Results: Among 4275 total cases surveyed, normal hemoglobin pattern was observed in 3862 (90.3%) and abnormal hemoglobin fractions on HPLC were detected in 413 (9.7%). Βeta (β) thalassemia trait was predominant abnormality found in a total of 318 cases (7.4%). There were 19 cases of β-thalassemia major and 24 of β-thalassemia intermedia. Other abnormal patterns found were HbE (trait in 11 and HbE disease in 6 cases), Hb S (2 cases each of sickle cell disease and sickle cell trait), 2 cases of high Hb F (1 case each of heterozygous and homozygous HPFH), 11 cases of Hb D Punjab along with 2 cases of Hb D Iran, 1 case of Hb C and 2 cases each of double heterozygotes for Hb E/ β-thalassemia and Hb S/ β-thalassemia. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in this region and HPLC forms a rapid and accurate tool in early detection and management of various hemoglobinopathies.