Estimating the burden of α-thalassaemia in Thailand using a comprehensive prevalence database for Southeast Asia
Severe forms of -thalassaemia, haemoglobin H disease and haemoglobin Barts hydrops fetalis, are an important public health concern in Southeast Asia. Yet information on the prevalence, genetic diversity and health burden of -thalassaemia in the region remains limited. We compiled a geodatabase of -thalassaemia prevalence and genetic diversity surveys and, using geostatistical modelling methods, generated the first continuous maps of -thalassaemia mutations in Thailand and sub-national estimates of the number of newborns with severe forms in 2020. We also summarised the current evidence-base for -thalassaemia prevalence and diversity for the region. We estimate that 3,595 (95% credible interval 1,717 - 6,199) newborns will be born with severe -thalassaemia in Thailand in 2020, which is considerably higher than previous estimates. Accurate, fine-scale epidemiological data are necessary to guide sustainable national and regional health policies for -thalassaemia control. Our maps and newborn estimates are an important first step towards this aim.\n\nFundingThis work was supported by European Unions Seventh Framework Programme (FP7//2007-2013)/European Research Council [268904 - DIVERSITY]