فصلنامه علمی پژوهشی بهداشت در عرصه

Relationship between β-globin gene mutations and blood factors in Beta- Thalassemia carriers

Hossein Hatami1, Soheila Khodakarim2, Fereydoon Faghani*3, Sedigheh Rastgar4

- MD-MPH, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

- PhD, Department of Public Health, School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

- MSPH-MPH, Department of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

- MD-MPH, Department of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

ABSTRACT

Background: Iran, located in Eastern Mediterranean region, is one of the noteworthy centers for the prevalence of

Beta-Thalassemia genetic disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Beta-globin

gene mutations and blood factors in the carriers of Beta-Thalassemia.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was to investigate the relationship between beta-globin gene

mutations and the average volume of red blood cells in Beta-Thalassemia carriers referred to the health network.

The study was conducted in Pakdasht and Varamin from 1997 to 2013. Ethical issues such as confidentiality of

studied community were all considered.

Results: In the present study, the relationship between some blood parameters of red blood cells, such as the mean

volume of red blood cells (MCV), and the type of mutation in the beta-globin was analyzed. MCV was statistically

related to the type of mutation (p=0.05). The mean and standard deviation values of MCV were 62.1 and 3.9,

respectively.

Conclusion: The amount of MCV can be used as a guide for quick access to genetic mutations in Beta-Thalassemia

carrier couples referred to Genetic centers before and during the pregnancy.

Keywords: Thalassemia, Genetic disease, Mutation, Blood factors, Iran