Frequency of β-thalassemia trait and other hemoglobinopathies in northern and western India

INTRODUCTION: India is an ethnically diverse country with an approximate population of 1.2 billion. The frequency of beta-thalassemia trait (βTT) has variously been reported from <1% to 17% and an average of 3.3%. Most of these studies have been carried out on small population groups and some have been based on hospital-based patients. There is also a variation in the prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in different regions and population groups in the country. A high frequency of Hb D has been reported from the North in the Punjabi population, Hb E in the eastern region of India and Hb S is mainly reported from populations of tribal origin from different parts of the country. OBJECTIVES: To study the gene frequency of βTT and other hemoglobinopathies in three regions East (Kolkata), West (Mumbai) and North (Delhi) in larghe population group (schoolchildren) for a more accurate assessment of gene frequency for planning of control programmes for haemoglobinopathies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 5408 children from 11 schools in Delhi, 5682 from 75 schools in Mumbai and 957 schoolchildren from Kolkata who were screened for βTT and haemoglobinopathies. These included 5684 children from 75 schools in Mumbai and 5408 children from 11 schools in Delhi. Children were 11-18 years of age of both sexes. The final report is, however, only on 11090 schoolchildren from Mumbai and Delhi as data from Kolkata was restricted both in numbers and objectives and could not be included for comparison. RESULTS: The overall gene frequency of βTT in Mumbai and Delhi was 4.05% being 2.68% and 5.47% in children of the two cities respectively. In Mumbai, the gene frequency was evenly distributed. Majority of the children with βTT from Mumbai were from Marathi (38.9%) and Gujarati (25%) speaking groups. Gene frequency was >5% in Bhatias, Khatris, Lohanas and Schedule Castes. In Delhi, a higher incidence was observed in schoolchildren of North and West Delhi (5.8-9.2%). The schoolchildren of North and West Delhi comprised predominantly of Punjabi origin compared to children in the South of the city (2.2%, 2.3%). When analyzed state-wise, the highest incidence was observed in children of Punjabi origin (7.6%) and was >4% from several other states. Majority of the traits from Mumbai were anemic (95.1% male and 85.6% in female). The prevalence of anemia was lower (62.7% male and 58.4% female) children with βTT from Delhi. This was a reflection of the higher prevalence of anemia in children without hemoglobinopathy in Mumbai than in Delhi. Nutritional deficiency was probably more severe and rampant in children Mumbai. Gene frequency of Hb D was greater in schoolchildren from Delhi (1.1%) than in Mumbai (0.7%). Hb S trait (0.2%) was observed exclusively in children from Mumbai. A low incidence of Hb E trait (0.04%) was seen in children in Mumbai. A higher incidence is reported from the East. The number of cases studied from the eastern region was small as the data from the East (Kolkata) could not be included in the analysis. CONCLUSION: This study comprises a larger number of children studied for the gene frequency of βTT and other hemoglobinopathies from India. Population groups with higher gene frequencies require screening programmes and facilities for antenatal diagnosis as well as increased awareness and educational programmes to control the birth of thalassemic homozygotes. The overall carrier frequency of βTT was 4.05% and reinforces the differential frequency of β-thalassemia trait in schoolchildren from Delhi and Mumbai and the higher incidence of hemoglobin D in Punjabis as reported previously. The birth incidence calculated thereof for homozygous thalassemics would be 11,316 per year which are added each year to the existing load of homozygous thalassemics. This is much higher than the previously reported number of births annually. Hence suitable control measures need to be undertaken urgently in India.


Introduction
Birth rates of homozygous β-thalassemia in different parts of the world have reduced considerably. Some smaller countries have reported no newborns with the disease. This has been achieved by control programs involving screening population surveys for heterozygous β-thalassemia, antenatal diagnosis along with increasing awareness in the medical profession, and in the population by large-scale education and counseling.
Control programs in Sardinia have substantially reduced the birth of homozygous thalassemics from 1:250 to as low as 1:4000 births. [1] Estimates of newborns with homozygous β-thalassemia in India vary considerably from 6,000 to 7,500 per year and even more depending on the gene prevalence, population, and birth rate of the region. [2] These are added annually to the already existing homozygote population. A frequency of β-thalassemia trait (βTT) of 1-3% and an overall 3.3% is stated for India. [3] Based on this figure, an estimate of 7,500 expected homozygous births per year have been made. [4] There is, therefore, a considerable discrepancy between the two estimates.
So what is the true gene frequency? There are several reports of the incidence of βTT from different parts of the country, which vary from less than 1% to 17%. [5,6] Most of the earlier studies are in small groups of hospital-based patients and/or population groups. It is also known that the incidence is higher in some population groups. [7] There is a stated lack of information about the true gene frequency in many parts of the world. [8] Prevalence data preferably require large-scale population surveys and should not be hospital-based. [8] It is essential to have a more accurate assessment of the gene frequency of βTT in the population for planning control programs for β-thalassemia in the country.
India is a vast country with considerable regional and ethnic heterogeneity. A study of every region is an impossible proposition due to lack of infrastructural facilities, expertise, and resources. It was, therefore, decided to focus attention on three cities, with a large population and well-established laboratory facilities. Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata were selected because they represent three different zones of the country. The population studied included school children from these cities. At the same time, such a study design would generate data on regional and ethnic variation, if any.
The results obtained in 11,090 school children from two of the three regions are based on the findings of the ICMR Collaborative Study Report. [9] This is the largest published study to date on the frequency of βTT and other hemoglobinopathies in India to the best of our knowledge.

Materials and Methods
The three institutions collaborating in this multicentric study were: years. Schools were more or less randomly selected, but an attempt was made to include most of the local population from different areas in the cities. This included children from all sections of society from different castes and religious groups. After obtaining the necessary permission from the Education Departments, the respective school principals were approached. An informative write-up on thalassemia was sent to the parents and after getting their consent, blood collection was organized during school hours.
Children were also clinically examined by the medical officers of the respective teams.
Two to three milliliter blood was collected in EDTA for complete blood count (CBC) and analysis of hemoglobin variants. Parents and siblings of children found to have any hemoglobinopathy were called for investigation for βTT and follow-up for counseling if required. CBC was measured by the Erma PC 604 particle counter. Peripheral blood smears were examined after staining with Wright's stain. [10] Hemoglobin electrophoresis [10] was carried out on cellulose acetate using TEB buffer, pH 8.6. [10] HbA 2 was estimated following elution after electrophoresis on cellulose using acetate, TEB buffer, pH 8.9. [11] HbA 2 was estimated in all the school children and the cut-off for HbA 2 was >3.5%. Confirmation was carried out by investigating parents and/or siblings. Hemoglobin F was quantitated in children by Singer's alkali denaturation method [12] in Mumbai and by Betke's method [13] in Delhi.
Solubility and sickling test were done in all cases with hemoglobin bands in the HbD/HbS region. [10] Results Total 11,090 school children were screened for TT   Figure 1.
The male-female ratio of children investigated was 1:1 at Mumbai and 1.4:1 at Delhi.
Prevalence of hemoglobinopathies Table 1 shows the prevalence of βTT and Table 2

Prevalence of β-thalassemia trait
The overall frequency of βTT in the school children was 4.05% being 2.68% and 5.49% in school children in Mumbai and Delhi, respectively [ Table 1].
In Delhi, the prevalence was higher in children from schools in the North and West (5.8-9.2%) of the city as compared to school children from South Delhi (2.2%, 2.3%) [ Table 3]. In school children from Delhi, the incidence of βTT ranged from 2.2% to 9.2%. Majority of the children in schools in the North and West originated from Punjab. In a school from Central Delhi, in which the population was predominantly of Karnataka origin, the frequency was 6.4%. In Mumbai, the frequency of βTT in different caste   Prevalence of anemia in children with β-thalassemia trait  Table 7 shows the hematologic parameters in children with βTT.

HbF concentration
Distribution of the HbF concentration in 152 school children with βTT from Mumbai and 284 from Delhi is shown in Table 10. In Mumbai, HbF concentration varied     from 0% to 2% and in Delhi from 0% to >5%.

Prevalence of high HbF
The hematological findings in school children with high HbF in Mumbai and Delhi are shown in Tables 11 and 12.

The HbF levels in these cases in Mumbai varied from
Madan et al. : β Thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in India

Discussion
The primary objective of this large multicentric study was to determine the frequency of β-thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies in different regions in the country. The study was restricted to secondary school children as they were considered to be fairly representative of all sections of the population. Besides they also comprised a population group which could be easily accessible for investigations and counseling.
Significant regional differences were observed in the prevalence of anemia both in children with βTT and in those without any Hb variant. Prevalence of anemia was lesser in the North as compared to the Western part of the country [ Table 8].
In 1975, Sukumaran had observed that β-thalassemia is probably the commonest inherited hemoglobin disorder on the Indian subcontinent. [6] HbE was more frequent in   was heterozygous for β-thalassemia.
In Mumbai, the prevalence of β-thalassemia carriers varied from 0% to 6.9% in different caste and/or religious groups. It was greater than 4% in the Bhatia (5.9%), Bohri (4%), Khatri (6.9%), Lohana (5.6%), Protestants (4.1%), and scheduled castes (5.1%) [ Table   5]. Although a similar attempt at grouping was made in Delhi, most school children and parents were unable to provide details regarding their caste group. In Delhi, the frequency varied from 0% to 6.9% in these groups. The largest group of 2146 classified as "others" because of unavailability of detailed caste had a frequency of 6.05% and belonged largely to migrant Punjabi population. The lower incidence in some groups known to have higher incidence of βTT is likely to be due to the smaller numbers of school children screened in each group.
In the neighboring country of Pakistan, the frequency of β-thalassemia has been reported to be 5.6%, [14] which is similar to that observed in school children from Delhi with a largely Punjabi population.
Populations to be screened include adolescents of high school/college for assessment of the β-thalassemic of the population. [1] The importance of screening programs lies in the fact that they also provide a platform for increased awareness and education regarding thalassemia in the screened population and the associated population group including parents, teachers, friends, siblings, and employees.
Screening may be voluntary or mandatory.
β-thalassaemia carriers in a family are now easily detected using well-calibrated automated hematology cell counters and automated dedicated HPLC systems.
However, the prevention program including early screening of pregnant women and spouse of thalassemic pregnant women for antenatal diagnosis and termination of a homozygote fetus has been slow in India due to several factors. These include late reporting of pregnancy and the lack of widespread facilities for screening and antenatal diagnosis. Screening of extended family in large centers is improving; [33] however, a large number of the extended families do not appear to comprehend the problem and some prefer not to be investigated.
Debates on whether screening high school/college students along with thalassemia awareness programs will succeed in India have continued. The question also remains whether high school children screened and counseled would be sensitive to the information regarding thalassemia and whether they would remember their thalassemia status at the time of marriage. A 20-yearold study in high school children in Montreal, Canada, [16] suggests that this is an effective strategy. Screening programs for high school students are currently being used and recommended. [34] Premarital screening in the Indian population is still considered controversial. In Iran [35] and Turkey, [18] premarital screening of couples has been successful. This large program was started when termination of pregnancy was not considered an option.
However, currently Iran has a thriving antenatal diagnostic program and births of homozygous thalassemics are considerably lower. [24] A highly successful campaign for the detection of beta-thalassaemia trait and prevention of the birth of β-thalassemia major babies in the isle of Menorca has resulted in the absence of the birth of even a single homozygote in the population. [36] A multipronged approach including screening of high school/college students, premarital screening, and of the extended family of thalassemics along with antenatal diagnosis needs to be considered for this vast and ethnically diverse country. Education and awareness regarding thalassemics need to be accelerated urgently among medical practitioners, paramedics, the thalassemic and general population to reduce the morbidity and mortality and the financial and sociopsychological burden of the thalassemic families.
It has been estimated that the lifetime cost of healthcare, premature mortality, and lost earnings versus a national screening program including antenatal diagnosis in Israel [17] gives a cost-benefit ratio of 4.22:1 and adding a societal perspective 6.01:1. A recent report from Hong Kong [37] offers an almost similar cost-benefit ratio.
This study provides evidence that the birth rate of thalassemic homozygotes may be much higher than that stated in recent references. [4] Homozygote births are likely to be far higher in population groups with higher gene frequency. It is worthwhile carrying out screening programs, increasing awareness of the disease by education of the medical fraternity, the public, and particularly the β-thalassemia families to reduce the thalassemic homozygous population.