Heterogeneity of Hemoglobin H Disease in Childhood

To the Editor: As Lal et al. (Feb. 24 issue) 1 emphasize, α-thalassemia has profound consequences as a chronic disease that leads to anemia and multiple manifestations of iron toxicity. In an editorial in the same issue, Benz 2 supports the conclusion that thalassemias are now more common because of globalization. Both the article and the editorial endorse newborn screening. Although we agree with the above, we also believe that primary prevention of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia, both of which are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, should be recommended. In the Republic of Cyprus, the incidence of thalassemia has decreased dramatically 3 during . . .