Diagnostic significance of red cell indices in beta-thalassaemia trait

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the formulae for the diagnosis of beta-thalassemia trait cases in settings where electrophoresis is not available. The study included 50 cases of beta-thalassaemia trait already diagnosed by Hb. electrophoresis. CBC samples were analyzed on Sysmex K4500 and red cell indices were used to evaluate formulae for differentiating betathalassaemia trait from iron deficiency anaemia. The formula MCV/RBC and MCH/RBC identified 56% of the cases. Formula MCV - [5 × Hb] - RBC - 8.4 identified 54% of beta-thalassemia trait cases. The formula [MCV × MCH/100] identified 92% of cases. RBC indices given by electronic counters can be used to differentiate iron deficiency anaemia from beta-thalassaemia trait at least provisionally in areas where Hb. electrophoresis is not available