Screening for haemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency among the Mizos of Mizoram: a preliminary study.

The population of North-eastern region of India is of different tribes, races and ethnic backgrounds. The study of abnormal haemoglobins and G6PD has been usefully utilized in population genetics to evaluate the nature and extent of selective forces operating in a population. Data on haemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency is still not available from the State of Mizoram. The present study was aimed to document the frequency of these genetic traits in the Mizos of Mizoram. Blood samples in the form of dried filter paper spots collected from 490 Mizos were subjected to haemoglobin electrophoresis in starch agar gel for detection of haemoglobin variants and fluorescent spot test was conducted for screening of G6PD deficiency. Hb E was the only haemoglobin variant detected. The prevalence of the carreer state was documented to be 1.5%. G6PD deficiency was prevalent in 17.5% of this population. The prevalence of Hb E was much lower and that of G-6PD deficiency was found to be much higher than what has been reported from most other states of the north-eastern region of India. This might point towards a different ethnic origin of this population.