Premarital screening of beta-thalassemia trait in the province of Denizli,Turkey

A premarital screening program aiming at reducing the incidence of thalasse mia major was started under the auspices of the Regional Health Administrat ion in 1995 in the city of Denizli in the Aegean region of Turkey. In this report we assessed the 4-year results of the screening program. All couples who applied for marriage procedures were screened for beta -thalassemia tr ait by automatic red cell indices and Hb A(2) determination. The couples at risk were counseled and offered prenatal diagnosis and termination of preg nancy in case of an affected fetus. From October 1995 to August 1999, a tot al of 19,804 subjects (9,902 couples) were recruited for this study. The pr evalence of beta -thalassemia trait with increased Hb A(2) was found to be 2.6% (514/19,804). In addition to the thalassemia trait, 22 patients (0.11% ) had sickle trait. In 15 of the 9,902 couples, both partners were found to be carriers of the beta -thalassemia trait. After genetic counseling, 2 of the 15 planned carrier marriages were canceled. Seven couples declared tha t they do not want to have a child at present. Prenatal diagnosis was sough t by 6 couples. One fetus was found to be normal, 4 had thalassemia minor a nd 1 had thalassemia major; this pregnancy was terminated by elective abort ion. This study indicated that premarital screening is a very useful tool f or detecting carrier couples and an effective way of controlling thalassemi a major. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.