Carrier Screening for β Thalassemia in Pregnant Indian Women: Experience at a Single Center in Madhya Pradesh

To study the prevalence of β thalassemia trait in pregnancy in urban population screening for β thalassemia in pregnant women at a single center in Indore (MP) has been conducted for a period of 2 year. Blood samples were tested for complete blood count and hemoglobin electrophoresis. During the 2 year period a total of 1,006 women were screened; 28 women who carried abnormal pattern were detected. The mean gestational age for screening was 13 ± 4 weeks. The prevalence of carriers was 2.78 %. As much as 99 % of pregnant women undergoing screening were willing for prenatal diagnosis if required. The economic burden to the society for treating thalassemic patients is huge. The institution of prevention programs like carrier screening has proven costeffective in populations with a high frequency of carriers. Screening of pregnant women early in pregnancy followed by prenatal diagnosis is acceptable and effective strategy for control of thalassemia in developing countries like India.