Prevalence of hemoglobin abnormality in the premarital screening Saudi population in Makkah city in a cross-sectional study Abstract

Background: Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies have significant complications on the children's health. Also, they have a higher cost for treatment. The prevalence of these diseases differs from one area to another in Saudi Arabia. Aims: To detect the different hemoglobin abnormality and their frequency in the premarital population in Makkah city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included 473 subjects who attended the premarital screening tests at the maternity and children Hospital laboratory and Heraa hospital. We were collected the data of the complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and iron profile from the participants. The statistical analysis was performed by SPSS program version 20. Results: 74.8% of the participants were normal, 9.3% had iron deficiency anemia (IDA), 6.3% were suspected to be alpha thalassemia trait, 3.4% had sickle cell trait, 3% were polycythemia, 1.5% had hereditary persistence fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), 1.1% were IDA with thalassemia trait, 0.4% were beta thalassemia trait, 0.2% had hemoglobin E trait. Conclusion: thalassemia trait and hemoglobinopathies are present in the premarital population in Makkah city at a low prevalence. The highest frequency was for the alpha thalassemia trait, then sickle cell trait, then HPFH, then beta-thalassemia trait, and lastly, hemoglobin E trait. IDA is present at a high frequency. Education to the population is essential to decrease the prevalence of these disorders.