Appraisal of sickle-cell and thalassaemia genes in Saudi Arabia

East Mediterr Health J. 1999 Nov;5(6):1147-53.

Abstract

A comprehensive national survey of the distribution of the sickle-cell (Hb S) gene and thalassaemia genes was initiated in 1982, with more than 30,055 blood samples collected. The Hb S, alpha- and beta-thalassaemia gene frequency range was 0.005-0.145, 0.01-0.40 and 0.01-0.15 respectively in various areas of Saudi Arabia. We present here an appraisal of sickle-cell and thalassaemia gene occurrence in the Saudi population, based on our studies conducted over 10 years in different regions of Saudi Arabia.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / epidemiology*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / genetics*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Frequency / genetics*
  • Genetic Testing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Population Surveillance
  • Prevalence
  • Residence Characteristics / statistics & numerical data
  • Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
  • alpha-Thalassemia / epidemiology*
  • alpha-Thalassemia / genetics*
  • beta-Thalassemia / epidemiology*
  • beta-Thalassemia / genetics*