Estimating the burden of α-thalassaemia in Thailand using a comprehensive prevalence database for Southeast Asia

Abstract

19Severe forms of α-thalassaemia, haemoglobin H disease and haemoglobin Bart's hydrops 20 fetalis, are an important public health concern in Southeast Asia. Yet information on the 21 prevalence, genetic diversity and health burden of α-thalassaemia in the region remains 22 limited. We compiled a geodatabase of α-thalassaemia prevalence and genetic diversity 23 surveys and, using geostatistical modelling methods, generated the first continuous maps 24 of α-thalassaemia mutations in Thailand and sub-national estimates of the number of 25 newborns with severe forms in 2020. We also summarised the current evidence-base for 26 α-thalassaemia prevalence and diversity for the region. We estimate that 3,595 (95% 27 credible interval 1,717 -6,199) newborns will be born with severe α-thalassaemia in 28