THALASSÆMIA MINOR IN AUSTRALIANS OF NORTHERN EUROPEAN EXTRACTION: A REPORT OF FIVE FAMILIES

Five families of heterozygous beta (type 1) thalassæmia minor with elevated hæmoglobin A₂ values and no “known” Mediterranean ancestry are presented. Four families are of Anglo-Saxon origin, and one family is of German descent. All five propositi and an isolated sixth patient with an elevated hæmoglobin A₂ value were referred with hypochromic microcytic anæmia unresponsive to iron therapy. The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the incidence of thalassæmia minor in Northern Europeans resident in Australia, and to emphasize the importance of full investigation of all cases of iron refractory hypochromic microcytic anæmia, to avoid the over-treatment with iron of persons with thalassæmia minor.