A B C of Thalassaemia

Thalassaemia is the most common genetic disorder in the world including Bangladesh. According to WHO there are 270 million carries for globin gene defect worldwide and 300,000 to 400,000 children are born every year with sever Haemoglobin disorder. It occurs at 60 countries and Bangladesh is one of them. Under that Haemoglobin disorder Beta Thalassaemia and Hb-E are commonly noted in Bangladesh and also Sri-Lanka, India, Maldives, Thailand etc. Oldest study in 1984 by WHO on Bangladeshi nationality living in UK Beta Thalassaemia is 3% and Hb-E trait 4%. In 2003 Bangladesh Thalassaemia Samity Survey shows 4.1% are Beta Thalassaemia carrier and 5.17% are Hb-E trait carrier. Recent epidemiological data published by Thalassaemia International Federation shows that Bangladesh is one of the most highly affected country with haemoglobin disorder (Beta Thalassaemia 4.15% & Hb-E tratit 6.5%) and this percentage will increase day by day. In 2016 Bangladesh Thalassaemia Samity and Center for Research Development and Study (CRDS) survey shows that 10-12% are carries Beta Thalassaemia and Hb-E defected gene and estimated birth rate 14,500 at Thalassaemia annually and 90,000 patients living in Bangladesh. Prevalence of both beta Thalassaemia and Hb-E trait is significantly high in Bangladesh and Thalassaemia will be a major genetic problem in the coming years.