HPLC in Characterization of Hemoglobin Profile in Thalassemia Syndrome and Hemoglobinopathies: An Experience in Pediatric Tertiary Care Hospital

Hemoglobin Profile Analysis by HPLC: Pediatric Tertiary Care Insights

Abstract

Background: Hemoglobinopathies constitute an increasing global health burden as they are the most common genetic disorders across the globe. Identification of these disorders is important for epidemiological purposes and the prevention of Thalassemias and clinically severe hemoglobinopathies. Objective: To characterize the hemoglobin profiles of patients with thalassemia and hemoglobinopathy using cation exchange HPLC. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Settings: Department of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, University of Child Health Sciences and Children’s Hospital, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: August 2024 to November 2024. Methods: Samples were analyzed on the BIO-RAD VARIANT II for the HPLC, and CBC was performed on an automated cell counter, BECKMAN COULTER(US). Data was analyzed with a chi-Square test with IBM SPSS Statistics 23 software. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ±SD, and Categorical variables as frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 105 individuals were studied, 62 were normal cases, showing normal hemoglobin profiles, and the most common diagnosis obtained on chromatograph by HPLC was thalassemia trait (21.9%), followed by beta-thalassemia major (10.5%), having an abnormal hemoglobin profile. However, only one case of Hb-S trait, Hb-D trait, Hb D disease, and Hetero Hb-E was found. Mean RDW-CV is raised in all Thalassemias. Conclusion: This study confirms the diagnostic utility of cation exchange HPLC as a reliable and sensitive tool for identifying thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in pediatric populations and underscores the importance of HPLC in distinguishing these conditions through distinct hemoglobin fraction patterns.