PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 297 newborns recruited consecutively at Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital in the south of Thailand. The SAO was identified on blood smear examination and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Thalassemia genotypes were defined. Hematologic parameters and hemoglobin (Hb) profiles were recorded and analyzed.
RESULTS: Among 297 newborns, 15 (5.1%) carried SAO, whereas 70 (23.6%) had thalassemia with 15 different thalassemia genotypes. Abnormal Hb including Hb C, Hb Q-Thailand, and Hb D-Punjab were observed in 5 newborns. It was found in the nonthalassemic newborns that RBC count, Hb, and hematocrit of the nonthalassemic newborns with SAO were significantly lower than those without SAO. The same finding was also observed in the thalassemic newborns; RBC count, Hb, and hematocrit of the thalassemic newborns with SAO were significantly lower than those without SAO. However, the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular Hb, and RBC distribution width of the SAO-newborns were significantly higher.
CONCLUSIONS: Both SAO and hemoglobinopathy genotypes are common in southern Thailand. One should take this into consideration when evaluating neonatal anemia and other hematologic abnormalities. Identification of both genetic defects and long-term monitoring on the clinical outcome of this genetic interaction should be essential to understand the pathogenesis of these common genetic disorders in the region.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inclusion criteria were normal term-gestation neonates admitted consecutively for phototherapy. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied on DNA extracted from dry blood spot specimens of each neonate to detect for Hb CoSp and Hb Adana gene. Positive samples were verified by gene sequencing.
RESULTS: Of the 1121 neonates recruited (719 SigNH and 402 no-SigNH), heterozygous Hb CoSp gene was detected in only two (0.27%) neonates. Both were SigNH neonates (0.3% or 2/719). No neonate had Hb Adana variant.
CONCLUSION: Hb CoSp was not common but could be a risk factor associated with SigNH. No Hb Adana was detected.