Anemia in male adolescents in Singapore

Among 990 young male adolescents studied, only 7 were anemic. Three of the anemics had beta-thalassemia trait and 4 had probable alpha-thalassemia trait. Forty-six individuals with hemoglobinopathies were detected: 29 with probable alpha-thalassemia trait, 10 with beta-thalassemia trait and 7 with heterozygous HbE. Heterozygous alpha and beta-thalassemia occurred predominantly in Chinese while heterozygous HbE was found entirely in Malays. There were no cases of established iron deficiency anemia and only 1 had iron deficient erythropoiesis. Folate deficiency occurred only in 8 subjects with thalassemia traits, and no vitamin B12 deficiency was detected.