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Thalassaemia types and their incidence in Sardinia.
  1. A Cao,
  2. R Galanello,
  3. M Furbetta,
  4. P P Muroni,
  5. L Garbato,
  6. C Rosatelli,
  7. M T Scalas,
  8. M Addis,
  9. R Ruggeri,
  10. L Maccioni,
  11. M A Melis

    Abstract

    The frequency of thalassaemia syndromes in Sardinia was examined by a population survey. The data indicate that about 12.6% of the Sardinian subjects are carriers of beta-thalassaemia, while 6.9% of the population carries an alpha-thalassaemia gene, with a slight difference between the various provinces. These are among the highest frequencies of thalassaemia genes found in a Caucasian population today. A survey of hospital inpatients and outpatients showed a newborn incidence of homozygous beta-thalassaemia of 1 in 300. The reasons for the difference between the expected and observed incidence figures are discussed. Moreover, 3 subjects with deltabeta0-thalassaemia trait, 6 carriers of heterocellular persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH), 1 sickle cell trait, and 3 subjects with Hb J Sardegna were found. Genetic heterogeneity of beta-thalassaemia syndromes in this population may generally result from interaction of alpha- and beta-thalassaemia genes.

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