Delta beta thalassemia, a rare hemoglobin variant: An experience from nodal centre in North Indian state

CONTEXT: Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) reduces to <1% few months after birth. However, it can persist beyond infancy into adult life in rare conditions such as delta-beta (δβ) thalassemia and hereditary persistence of HbF. δβ thalassemia is a relatively rare type of thalassemia due to decrease in both beta and delta globin chain production. AIMS: This study aims to assess the hematological and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) findings in δβ thalassemia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in department of Clinical Pathology, PGIMS, Rohtak. On screening of 1197 patients over a period of around 1 year, a total of 13 cases of δβ thalassemia were detected by HPLC. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Not done. RESULTS: The age of presentation ranged from 1 to 42 years with a mean age of 22.8 years. Eleven cases were diagnosed as heterozygous δβ thalassemia and two as homozygous δβ thalassemia. CONCLUSIONS: δβ thalassemia is an uncommon cause of elevated HbF. Clinical and hematological parameters should be carefully analyzed for accurate diagnosis.