Single-tube multiplex-PCR screen for common deletional determinants of alpha-thalassemia

alpha-Thalassemia is very common throughout all tropical and subtropical re gions of the world. In Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean regions, compou nd heterozygotes and homozygotes may have anemia that is mild to severe (he moglobin [Hb] H disease) or lethal (Hb Bart's hydrops fetalis), We have dev eloped a reliable, single-tube multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as say for the 6 most frequently observed determinants of alpha-thalassemia. T he assay allows sim-pie, high throughput genetic screening for these common hematological disorders. (C) 2000 by The American Society of Hematology.