Molecular Characterization of α- and β-Thalassaemia Among Children From 1 to 10 Years of Age in Guangxi, A Multi-Ethnic Region in Southern China

Background: Thalassemia is one of the most common genetic diseases in southern China. Howerver, population in different regions or different population has their own spectrums of thalassemia. To investigate the prevalence and spectrum features of thalassemia among children in Guangxi. Hematology and genetic analysis were performed on 71,459 children aged 1-10 years in various regions of Guangxi.</p> Results: A total of 11,821 children were diagnoses with thalassemia including 7,615 (10.66%) subjects of alpha-thalassemia, 3,507 (4.90%) subjects of beta-thalassemia, and 699 (0.98%) cases with both alpha- and beta-thalassemia. Nine alpha-thalassemia mutations and 30 genotypes were identified among the alpha-thalassemia children. The - -(SEA) and - -(SEA)/alpha alpha were the most frequent mutation and genotype, respectively. One alpha-thalassemia fusion gene and a rare 2.4 kb deletion both causing alpha(+)-thalassemia were identified, respectively. Thirteen beta-thalassemia mutations and 31 genotypes were characterized among the beta-thalassemia children, with the most common mutation CD41-42 (-CTTT) accounting for 46.05% of the beta-mutations. Two rare mutations IVS-II-5 (G>C), and IVS-I-2 (T>C) were firstly identified. Furthermore, 92 genotypes were identified among 699 children with both alpha- and beta-thalassemia.</p> Conclusions: Our findings highlight the great heterogeneity and the extensive spectrum of thalassemia among children in Guangxi, which provide an available reference for prevention of thalassemia in this area.</p>