Punyanuch Pornpanich.. Neonatal screening for thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies by isoelectric focusing (IEF) in Thai neonates. Master's Degree(Clinical Pathology). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2010.
Neonatal screening for thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies by isoelectric focusing (IEF) in Thai neonates
Abstract:
Neonatal screening for hemoglobin (Hb) disorders is a standard of care in several developed countries. Such practice has not been established in Thailand where α and β thalassemia and hemoglobin E (Hb E) are highly prevalent. Early identification of α-thalassemia and Hb E might be useful to further strengthen the prevention and control for severe thalassemias in our country. As well, this approach could help detect some thalassemia patients at an early age for immediate and appropriate management for their disease. The main objective of this thesis is to set up a standard reference range for definitive diagnosis of thalassemia diseases and carriers from neonatal screening using iso-electric focusing (IEF). In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of such a test in these circumstances is evaluated. Qualitative analysis was performed by using the IEF pattern from standard protocol and quantitative analyses by Isoscan® Imaging System, special software designed to detect and calculate the proportion of each hemoglobin bands intensities from IEF gels, were performed in 350 newborns dried blood spots. Hemoglobin data were analyzed and compared with the genotype analysis using PCR-based DNA studies. The combination of Hb Barts levels and Hb E levels can determine Hb H disease, α thalassemia-1 trait, Hb E mutation with or without α-thalassemia mutation with 100% of both sensitivity and specificity. To determine α thalassemia-2 trait, we set 0.3% of Hb Barts as the cut-off level using an ROC curve which provides 92.86% sensitivity and 74.0% specificity. Using a standard reference range and guidelines for IEF diagnosis proposed in this study, definitive diagnosis of α thalassemia-1 carrier, Hb H disease, Hb E trait with or without α-thalassemias, and homozygous Hb E can now be possible with a high reliability. Such genetic information on thalassemia and hemoglobin disorder could now be recorded electronically into the Thai national identification card (ID) and can be used in the near future when these babies reach their reproductive age. Moreover, the cost of making diagnosis of thalassemia and hemoglobin disorders at this stage is 10 times lower than conventional methods. Incorporation of hemoglobin analysis by IEF into the pre-existing newborn screening program in Thailand will help strengthen our prevention and control program for severe thalassemia syndromes in the future.
Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center