Correlation Between Some Discrimination Functions
and Hemoglobin E
WANIDA ITTARAT, Ph.D.*,
ORNJIRA RAYATONG,B.Sc.*,
SUNAREE ONGCHAROENJAI, M.Sc.*,
NONTAWIT PIRAT,B.Sc.*
Affiliation : * Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
AbstractThe most widely used discriminant functions and red cell indicies for differential diag-
nosis of thalassemia traits from iron deficiency anemia were evaluated for their abilities to
identify HbE-containing blood samples. The functions were as follows : Fl= 0.01 x MCH x
(MCV)2; F2 = RDW x MCH x (MCV)2 I Hb x 100; F3 = MCV/RBC; and F4 = MCH/RBC. Other
red cell parameters including RDW, hemoglobin content, mean cell volume, mean cell hemo-
globin as well as red cell counts, were also evaluated to distinguish HbE from the normal popu-
lation. Hemoglobin electrophoresis was used as a comfirmatory test. The results showed that
Fl, F2 and F3 as well as other red cell parameters of HbE-containing samples were different
from those of HbA2A-containing red cells although there was no statistical significance. How-
ever, F4 and MCHC showed no difference between the two groups. It can be concluded from
the present study that identification of hemoglobin E especially the heterozygous form by using
parameters from an electronic cell counter is not easy. Discriminant functions and red cell
indicies might be used as an initial diagnosis. But comfirmation is needed in all cases. Applying
the MCV of 80 fl will miss 5 per cent of hemoglobin E carrier but will not miss the homozygous
form.
Keywords : Discriminant Function, HbE, Hematologic Parameters
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