COMBINED USE OF ERYTHROCYTE ZINC PROTOPORPHYRINE AND MCV: DIFFERENTIATION OF BETA THALASSEMIA FROM IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

H KHOSHAMOOZ, A HAJ FATHALI A, A.A POURFATH ELAH, F KARIMI TEHRANI

Abstract


Introduction: Due to the prevalence of beta thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia in Irana need for an accurate, quick, inexpensive and simple method for differential diagnosis between these two disorders is felt. In this study the value of zpp measurement as a tool to distinguish iron deficiency from heterozygous beta thalassemia in microcrystal patients was evaluated.
Methods: In this study on 140 persons with microcytosis, the hemoglobin electrophoresis, serum iron, TIBC and serum ferritin and protoporphyrine relating to zinc (ZPP) were measured.
Results: ZPP had been increased in all iron deficient patients and in 53 percent of Heterozygote beta thalassemia patients. Using combination of MCV and ZPP in iron deficient anemic patients and heterozygote beta thalassemia show the 99 percent accuaracy in differentiation of these two disorders.
Discussion: According to the results, this method has better accuracy than red blood cells formulation in the screening programs for beta thalassemia and iron defficiency anemia.

Keywords


Beta thalassemia, Iron deficiency anemia, Diagnostic study, Zinc protoporphryn