High Prevalence of Alpha- and Beta-Thalassemia in the Kadazandusuns in East Malaysia: Challenges in Providing Effective Health Care for an Indigenous Group

Jin-Ai, Mary Anne Tan and Lee, Ping Chin and Yong, Chui Wee and Kim, Lian Tan and Noor Fadzlin Mahali and Elizabeth George and Kek, Heng Chua (2010) High Prevalence of Alpha- and Beta-Thalassemia in the Kadazandusuns in East Malaysia: Challenges in Providing Effective Health Care for an Indigenous Group. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2010. pp. 1-5. ISSN 1110-7243

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Abstract

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. - and -thalassemia were confirmed in 33.6% and 12.8%, of the individuals studied respectively. The high prevalence of - and -thalassemia in the Kadazandusuns indicates that thalassemia screening, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis should be included as part of their healthcare system. This preliminary paper serves as a baseline for further investigations into the health and genetic defects of the major indigenous population in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Item Type: Article
Keyword: Alpha and Beta Thalassemia
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine
Depositing User: SITI AZIZAH BINTI IDRIS -
Date Deposited: 05 Mar 2019 12:09
Last Modified: 05 Mar 2019 12:09
URI: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/21424

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