A standardized blood-transfusion protocol of the National Ministry of Health was followed for all patients: Blood transfusion was indicated for any patients with a Hb level of < 70 g/L, or a Hb level between 70 and 100 g/L but with symptomatic anemia (severe mental status changes, palpitations, and/or pallor) [12]. This evidence concerns the gene GSTM1 and anemia (phenotype).