Department of Pathology, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam-788014, India.

Department of Pathology, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam-788014, India.

Department of Pathology, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Assam-788014, India.
β thalassemia ,HbA2 ,Capillary electrophoresis , RBC indices ,

Variation in levels of HbA2 is constantly associated with various hematological and non-hematological conditions. Though exceptional elevation in levels of HbA2 is one of the most significant parameters in diagnosing beta thalassemia carrier. But, in spite of RBC indices favoring diagnosis of the same, presence of other associated hematological or nonhematological conditions can present with either increase or even decrease in HbA2 levels upon capillary electrophoresis. Similar disparity can also be seen during quantification of HbA2 in other hemoglobinopathies by capillary electrophoresis. The aim of present study is to correlate the levels of HbA2 (as determined by capillary electrophoresis) with RBC indices in commonly encountered hemoglobinopathies, taking non hematological conditions into consideration too. In the study period of 12 months, 109 selected cases are referred for capillary electrophoresis in our Department of Pathology. Complete blood count and peripheral blood smear study and capillary electrophoresis is done in selected cases. Values of RBC indices with HbA2 levels are tabulated for comparison. β-thalassemia minor and α- thalassemia trait are most common hemoglobinopathies with 25 cases (22.9%) of each followed by β-thalassemia major with 16 cases (14.7%). β-thalassemia minor being asymptomatic is seen most commonly in 3rd decade (14 cases) of life. Male to female ratio is found to be 2:1. Due to associated haematological and non haematological conditions HbA2 levels vary deviating from expected ranges. Thus, only HbA2 levels cannot be relied upon as such for diagnosis of hemoglobinopathies

7 , 7 , 2017