Analysis of the diagnostic efficacy of hemoglobin capillary electrophoresis for thalassemia in children under 2 years old in Southern Fujian (Minnan) Region, China.
- 1Department of Gastroenterology, Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, China.
- 2Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, China.
- 3Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Quanzhou Women's and Children's Hospital, Quanzhou, Fujian, 362000, China. [email protected].
Abstract
To establish age-specific diagnostic cut-off values for HbF and HbA₂ in children under 2 years in Southern Fujian, China, across α-thalassemia group(carriers and patients),β-thalassemia group(carriers), and a negative control group, and evaluate their diagnostic efficacy for precise thalassemia screening. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,072 children under 2 years old. Participants were divided into α-thalassemia group(carriers and patients,331 samples), β-thalassemia group(carriers,220 samples), α+β-thalassemia group(10 samples), and negative control groups (511 samples), and further stratified into three age groups: 0-6 months (172 samples), 7-12 months (532 samples), and 13-24 months (368 samples). ROC curve analysis determined optimal cut-off values for HbF and HbA₂, with AUC, sensitivity, and specificity calculated. Normal reference ranges were also analyzed. In the negative control group, mean HbA₂ and HbF varied significantly with age. For β-thalassemia, optimal HbA₂ cut-offs were 2.6% (0-6 months, AUC=0.849, sensitivity 80.6%, specificity 85.9%), 3.15% (7-12 months, AUC=0.979, sensitivity 97.9%, specificity 98.8%), and 3.7% (13-24 months, AUC=0.990, sensitivity 98.9%, specificity 98.7%). Optimal HbF cut-offs were 10.1% (0-6 months, AUC=0.720), 4.75% (7-12 months, AUC=0.920), and 2.35% (13-24 months, AUC=0.931). For α-thalassemia, HbA₂cut-offs showed limited diagnostic value (AUC ≤0.667). HbF and HbA₂ levels are significantly influenced by age. Age-stratified cut-off values for HbA₂demonstrate excellent diagnostic efficacy for β-thalassemia and can serve as primary screening indicators. For α-thalassemia, HbA₂ measurement alone is insufficient, highlighting the need for complementary testing methods to improve diagnostic accuracy.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026analysis,
title = {{Analysis of the diagnostic efficacy of hemoglobin capillary electrophoresis for thalassemia in children under 2 years old in Southern Fujian (Minnan) Region, China.}},
author = {Xiaolong Liu and Qianmei Zhuang and Meizhen Yan and Chunqiang Liu and Geng Wang and Baojia Huang},
journal = {Annals of hematology},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1007/s00277-026-07186-8},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42901972},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Analysis of the diagnostic efficacy of hemoglobin capillary electrophoresis for thalassemia in children under 2 years old in Southern Fujian (Minnan) Region, China.
AU - Xiaolong Liu
AU - Qianmei Zhuang
AU - Meizhen Yan
AU - Chunqiang Liu
AU - Geng Wang
AU - Baojia Huang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Annals of hematology
DO - 10.1007/s00277-026-07186-8
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42901972
AB - To establish age-specific diagnostic cut-off values for HbF and HbA₂ in children under 2 years in Southern Fujian, China, across α-thalassemia group(carriers and patients),β-thalassemia group(carriers), and a negative control group, and evaluate their diagnostic efficacy for precise thalassemia screening. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1,072 children under 2 years old. Participants were divided into α-thalassemia group(carriers and patients,331 samples), β-thalassemia group(carriers,220 samples), α+β-thalassemia group(10 samples), and negative control groups (511 samples), and further stratified into three age groups: 0-6 months (172 samples), 7-12 months (532 samples), and 13-24 months (368 samples). ROC curve analysis determined optimal cut-off values for HbF and HbA₂, with AUC, sensitivity, and specificity calculated. Normal reference ranges were also analyzed. In the negative control group, mean HbA₂ and HbF varied significantly with age. For β-thalassemia, optimal HbA₂ cut-offs were 2.6% (0-6 months, AUC=0.849, sensitivity 80.6%, specificity 85.9%), 3.15% (7-12 months, AUC=0.979, sensitivity 97.9%, specificity 98.8%), and 3.7% (13-24 months, AUC=0.990, sensitivity 98.9%, specificity 98.7%). Optimal HbF cut-offs were 10.1% (0-6 months, AUC=0.720), 4.75% (7-12 months, AUC=0.920), and 2.35% (13-24 months, AUC=0.931). For α-thalassemia, HbA₂cut-offs showed limited diagnostic value (AUC ≤0.667). HbF and HbA₂ levels are significantly influenced by age. Age-stratified cut-off values for HbA₂demonstrate excellent diagnostic efficacy for β-thalassemia and can serve as primary screening indicators. For α-thalassemia, HbA₂ measurement alone is insufficient, highlighting the need for complementary testing methods to improve diagnostic accuracy.
SN - 0939-5555
SN - 1432-0584
ER -