Abstract Introduction: Haemoglobinopathies and thalessemias are inherited disorders of haemoglobin synthesis.It is estimated that at least 5.2% of the world population and more than 7% of pregnant women are carriers of abnormal haemoglobins.The aim of the present study was to evaluate capillary electrophoresis method for the detection of thalessemias and haemoglobinopathies in patients visiting our haemotology department for Hb electrophoresis. Materials and Methods: The present retrospective study was carried out in our haematology department between September 2015 to August 2016 . A total of 500 patients in both the sexes registered for Hb electrophoresis were included in the study. Blood samples were collected intravenously in K3 EDTA tubes using standard protocols.A complete blood count was performed on each sample on LH 750 (Beckman coulter) fully automated haematology analyser within 12 hours of blood collection. All the blood samples were later run on capillary electrophoresis system (Sebia)as per standard protocols. Results: There were 38.6% males and 61.4% females .The male to female ratio was 0.6:1. 311 patients(62.2%)had normal Hb electrophoretic pattern .Sicle cell trait was detected in 68(13.6%) patients.Thalessemia minor was detected in 51(10.2%) patients, Sickle cell disease in 47(9.4%)patients,.17 patients (3.4%) were detected to have Thalassemia major.Two cases (0.4%) had HbD. One each(0.2%) case was observed for Hb Barts, HbE, HbH and hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin (HPFH). Conclusion: Detection of haemoglobinopathies and Thalessemias have become easier due to rapid technical advances in the field of haematology. Capillary electrophoresis has an edge over other methods currently in use because it is rapid, precise and has high resolution and is extremely useful in screening population for haemoglobinopathies and thalessemias and can be used in conjunction with HPLC method for detection of new and rare Hb variants.
Keywords: Capillary Electrophoresis; Haemoglobinopathies; Thalessemia; HPLC.