Carrier frequency of β-Thalassaemia in Twin-Cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Background: To determine the prevalence of β-thalassaemia carriers in twin-cities of Islamabad andRawalpindi.Methods: In this descriptive study, people weremotivated to get screened for β- thalassaemia trait.Hemoglobin level, RBC count, MCV, MCH was measured.Hemoglobin electrophoresis was performed if MCH wasless than 27pg, MCV less than 75fl and RBC count morethan 5 million. If HbA2 was 3.5%or higher, thalassaemiatrait was diagnosed.Results: A total of 2101 people were screened in campsheld at offices of Federal Ministry of Health & PakistanPost, two villages( Terlai & Phoolgran) in the suburbs ofIslamabad, Fatima Jinnah and Foundation Universitiesand other educational institutions. 85(4.05%) were found tobe carriers of β-thalassaemia.Conclusion: β-Thalassaemia Trait has a carrierfrequency of around 4% in twin-cities and suburb