Table 1.
Inclusion criteria for IDA and Thalassemia patients
| Red Cell Parameter | Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) diagnostic criteria | Thalassemia diagnostic criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin (HB) | < 13 g/dl males and < 12 g/dl females (WHO) | < 13 g/dl males and < 12 g/dl females (WHO) |
| Red Cell Count (RCC) | < 5.0 × 10^12/l | > 5.0 × 10^12/l |
| Mean Cell Volume (MCV) | < 80 fl | < 80 fl |
| Mean Cell Hemoglobin (MCH) | < 24 pg | Not applicable |
| Mean Cell Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) | < 31 pg | Not applicable |
| Ferritin levels | < 12 ng/ml females, < 15 ng/ml males | > 12 ng/ml |
| HBA2 | < 2.2% | > 3.5% for Beta Thalassemia |
| Mentzer Index (MI): MCV/RCC | > 13 | < 13 for Alpha Thalassemia |