Red cell genetic abnormalities in Peninsular Arabs: sickle haemoglobin, G6PD deficiency, and alpha and beta thalassaemia

Frequency and clinical significance of erythrocyte genetic abnormalities in Omanis

The frequencies of four malaria associated erythrocyte genetic abnormalities have been established in 1000 Omani subjects. They are: homozygous alpha+ thalassaemia (-alpha/-alpha) 0.45; high Hb A2 beta thalassaemia trait 0.015; sickle trait (Hb A/S) 0.061; and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (Gd-): males 0.27, females 0.11. From our data the alpha+ (-alpha/) thal gene (confirmed by Southern blotting) is pandemic in this population. Moreover, in spite of the very high frequency of Gd-, oxidative haemolytic syndromes are very uncommon. Also preliminary data indicate that among the Omani population with sickle cell disease, homozygosity of the alpha+ gene markedly modifies the clinical picture.

HB Al-Ain Abu Dhabi [alpha 18(A16)Gly----Asp]: a new hemoglobin variant discovered in an Emiratee family

During a routine program of hemoglobin screening performed in the United Arab Emirates, we observed an electrophoretically fast-moving variant in a 9-month-old girl and in several members of her family. The structural determination, performed by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography and amino acid sequencing, revealed a new variant that we named Hb Al-Ain Abu Dhabi [alpha 18(A16) Gly----Asp]. Its functional properties were normal.

A survey of serious congenital morphological abnormalities in Abu Dhabi

The overall incidence of severe congenital abnormalities diagnosed within the first week of life was 12.9/1000, which is similar to other surveys (1,2), although the distribution and type of abnormalities encountered varied considerably. The incidence of spina bifida and encephaloceles was lower than elsewhere (0.54/1000).