Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Major β-thalassemia is one of the most problematic diseases both for patients and their families as well as for health services. The number of major thalassemia cases born in 1988 was reported to be 1200 which reduced to 250 in 2007. In spite of the success of the screening program, we still experience some new cases of β-thalassemia. This study aimed to investigate the causes of occurrence of new affected infants to help the prevention program.

 Materials and Methods

 In this descriptive analytic study, the parents of β-thalassemia patients having referred were investigated. EDTA blood samples were used for CBC, electrophoresis, and Hb A2 measurment. Simultaneously, the participants were asked to fill out the prepared questionnaire for the causes of occurrence to be evaluated. CBC was performed by sysmex XS800i, electrophoresis by cellulose acetate, and Hb A2 by column chromatography.

 Results

 Sixty eight couples, as the parents of 78 patients with major thalassemia, participated in the project. Out of the total number of patients, 20 (25.6%) were under 13 years of age out of whom 7 , 2 and 11 were addressed by the first, second, and third strategies, respectively. Four patients were born due to being left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to error in screening and pre-natal tests.

 Conclusions

 In order to minimize the occurrence of new cases, we should promote the education and awareness in underdeveloped and non-urban communities. The couples should be identified and directed. The financial support and the possibility of on time testing could be helpful.