THALASSEMIA AND G6PD DEFICIENCY IN SPANISH BLOOD-DONORS

Our purpose was to determine the frequency of the thalassemia trait an d glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in blood donors of Madrid, composed of persons from nearly all the Spanish provinces ( ranging from 21 to 65 years of age). The frequency of thalassemia and G6PD deficiency has been investigated with the following results; thal assemia 0.92% and no G6PD deficiency. The frequencies observed are com pared with those found in the general (non donor) Spanish population. The value of this experiment is considered a supplement to other tests done routinely in our official blood donors.