A community-based study of common hereditary blood disorders in Oman

Weassessed the prevalence of three common hereditary blood disorders [sickle-cell and beta-thalassaemia traits and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency] among the Omani population. We interviewed a representative sample of 6103 Omani households and blood samples from 6342 children aged 0-5 years were collected. About 27% of Omani males had inherited glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency [compared with 11% of females] while countrywide prevalence rates for the sickle-cell and beta-thalassaemia traits were estimated to be 5.8% and 2.2% respectively and showed no significant gender differences. There was a significant association between all three disorders and region of the country.