Reliability of Different RBC Indices and Formulas in the Discrimination of ?-Thalassemia Minor and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Surabaya, Indonesia

Authors

  • Yulia Nadar Indrasari1 , Yetti Hernaningsih1 , Munawaroh Fitriah1 , Arifoel Hajat1 , I Dewa Gede Ugrasena2 , Narazah Mohd Yusoff3

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i1.13543

Keywords:

RBC indices, ?-thalassemia minor, iron deficiency anemia.

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the RBC indices in differentiating ?-thalassemia minor and iron deficiency
anemia in a healthcare center. This was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design using
blood specimens of children aged 3 years to 17 years with microcytic hypochromic anemia based on
the results of complete blood counts and evaluation of peripheral blood smears. Calculation of the RBC
indices was performed as an initial screening to differentiate ?-thalassemia minor and iron deficiency
anemia. Iron profile examination and hemoglobin electrophoresis were performed to confirm the diagnosis
of ?-thalassemia minor and iron deficiency anemia. The results of the independent samples t-test showed
significant differences in Hb, MCV, MCH, and MCHC between ?-thalassemia minor and iron deficiency
anemia (p <0.05). The results of the Mann Whitney test showed a significant difference in the Mentzer
Index to distinguish between ?-thalassemia minor and iron deficiency anemia (p <0.05). Also, the results
of the independent samples t-test showed significant differences in the Green & King formula, Sirdah et
al. formula, and the Maltos and Carvalho Index (p <0.05). The Green and King formula has a diagnostic
sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 76.6% and an accuracy of 78.03%. Various formulas based on the
results of complete blood count parameters have been developed to detect ?-thalassemia minor in areas with
a high prevalence of ?-thalassemia with different sensitivity and specificity. In this study, it showed that the
Green and King formula has a diagnostic sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 76.6%, and an accuracy
of 78.03%. Green and King’s formula can be applied as an initial screening to differentiate ?-thalassemia
minor and iron deficiency anemia

Author Biography

Yulia Nadar Indrasari1 , Yetti Hernaningsih1 , Munawaroh Fitriah1 , Arifoel Hajat1 , I Dewa Gede Ugrasena2 , Narazah Mohd Yusoff3

1
Lecturer, Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga - Dr. Soetomo General
Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, 2
Professor, Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas
Airlangga - Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, 3Professor, Advanced Medical and
Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

Published

2020-12-31

How to Cite

Yulia Nadar Indrasari1 , Yetti Hernaningsih1 , Munawaroh Fitriah1 , Arifoel Hajat1 , I Dewa Gede Ugrasena2 , Narazah Mohd Yusoff3. (2020). Reliability of Different RBC Indices and Formulas in the Discrimination of ?-Thalassemia Minor and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Surabaya, Indonesia. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(1), 984-989. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i1.13543

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2021): Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Section

Articles
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