Mentzer Index As A Diagnostic Tool Of Thalassemia Trait In Children
Original Article
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69830/jbkmc.v5i02.187Keywords:
Mentzer Index, Thalassemia Trait, Pediatrics, DiagnosisAbstract
Background: Beta thalassemia exists in widespread prevalence across Southeast Asia including Pakistan. Proper identification of beta thalassemia trait remains essential to stop major thalassemia children from being born. Testing with the cost-effective Mentzer Index tool lets healthcare providers separate patients with iron deficiency anemia traits from beta thalassemia traits through analyses of total blood count data.
Objectives: The study assessed the Mentzer Index's ability to detect thalassemia trait among children aged 12 months to 5 years through Hb electrophoresis tests which functioned as the gold standard.
Study design: A Cross sectional study Descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: Department of paeds Oncology, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi include all the children with anemia. From jan 2023 to jan 2024
Methods: The current cross-sectional Study focused on 255 anemic children at Department of paeds Oncology, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Study participants whose Mentzer Index measurement results in MCV divided by RBC aligned less than 13 confirmed thalassemic status. Hb electrophoresis confirmed the diagnosis. SPSS software evaluated the data to produce sensitivity results together with specificity measurements alongside predictive value calculations.
Results: The mean age of patients was 3.2 years (±1.1), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. The clinical assessment of the Mentzer Index demonstrated 89% sensitivity and 81% specificity during the study period with a confirmed statistical significance (p<0.05). The predictive accuracy revealed positive value at 85% alongside negative predictive value at 86%.
Conclusion: The Mentzer Index functions as an affordable diagnostic measure which efficiently determines beta thalassemia trait when testing limited resources. The diagnostic tool can support reductions in undiagnosed thalassemia carriers thus promoting better preventative healthcare practices.
Keywords: Mentzer Index, Thalassemia Trait, Pediatrics, Diagnosis
