GEOGRAPHICAL AND DEMOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ΒETA-THALASSAEMIA AMONG IRAQI POPULATION

Abstract

In this study, the geographical and demographical distribution of eighty clinically thalassaemic patients and fifty six apparently healthy individuals as a control group were studied. The geographical distribution of the samples revealed that the collected samples were from fifteen governorates which represent various regions in Iraq. The distribution of the samples according to some demographical parameters including: gender, age, and parent relationship was studied to reveal the effects of these parameters on the diversity of β-thalassaemia in both patient and control groups. Also, after molecular diagnosis of causative β-thalassaemia mutations using Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS), the geographical distribution of positive diagnosed patients was studied in order to learn about the distribution of β-thalassaemia mutations, the results revealed the heterogeneity of diagnosed mutations within the Iraqi regions.