To estimate the prevalence of the thalassemia genes in Mosul city, a study was
carried out on ٣٧٥ persons randomly selected, from people attending three major
hospitals in the city.
A reduced mean cell volume (MCV) below ٨٠ fl was used as screening test for
thalassemia genes (e.g. hemoglobin, Hb. Electrophoresis, and finally blood Iron
content).
A total of ٣٣ cases (٨.٨%) were found carrying thalassemia genes. From the above
cases, ٢٥ cases (٦.٧%) were beta-thalassemia trait ٨ cases (٢.١%) were alphathalassemia.