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. 1977 Sep;30(9):884–889. doi: 10.1136/jcp.30.9.884

Diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia trait from Coulter Counter 'S' indices.

U M Hegde, J M White, G H Hart, G W Marsh
PMCID: PMC476581  PMID: 915018

Abstract

A number of patients of Mediterranean and Asian origins were found to have unexplained microcytic hypochromic red blood cells. Iron deficiency and beta-thalassaemia trait were both satisfactorily excluded in all of them. The haematological indices of these patients, obtained on a Coulter Model 'S' Counter, were found to be very similar to those seen in obligatory heterozygotes for alpha-thalassaemia. It is postulated that these patients were also carriers for alpha-thalassaemia. Subsequent investigation of some of these patients showed the characteristically reduced rates of alpha-chain synthesis seen in this condition. The discriminant function of England and Fraser (1973) may be of help in diagnosing this state. alpha-Thalassaemia trait should be considered in all patients of 'high-risk' ethnic origins with a blood picture suggestive of beta-thalassaemia trait but in whom the levels of Hb A2 and Hb F are within normal limits.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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