High prevalence of Alpha- and Beta-Thalassemia in the Kadazandusuns in east Malaysia: challenges in providing effective health care for an indigenous group

• Main Authors: Tan, Jin Ai Mary Anne, Lee, Ping Chin, Wee, Yong Chui, Tan, Kim Lian, Mahali, Noor Fadzlin, George, Elizabeth, Chua, Kek Heng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2010
• Subjects: R Medicine
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/3708/1/High_Prevalence_of_Alpha-_and_Beta-Thalassemia_in_the_Kadazandusuns.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/3708/; http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jbb/2010/706872/

Thalassemia can lead to severe transfusion-dependent anemia, and it is the most common genetic disorder in Malaysia. This paper aims to determine the prevalence of thalassemia in the Kadazandusuns, the largest indigenous group in Sabah, East Malaysia. alpha-and beta-thalassemia were confirmed in 33....