The epidemiology of thalassaemia syndromes in Southeast Asia.
11 affiliations
- 1Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
- 2Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
- 3Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
- 4Department of Emerging and Neglected Diseases, Biomedical Research Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- 5School of Environment and Life Sciences, Independent University, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- 6Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
- 7Department of Paediatrics, Kanti Children's Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal.
- 8National Blood Center and National Health Laboratory, Yangon, Myanmar.
- 9Maldivian Thalassaemia Society, Malé, Maldives.
- 10Instituto de Ciéncias da Saúde, Dili, Timor-Leste.
- 11National Institute of Immunohaematology, Indian Council of Medical Research, Mumbai, India.
Abstract
Thalassaemia syndromes are inherited haemoglobin disorders caused by mutations affecting α- and β-globin chains, ranging in severity from asymptomatic to transfusion-dependent. This Series paper synthesises epidemiological data across ten WHO Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) countries, combining local expertise with a rapid literature review. Due to the high prevalence of α- and β-thalassaemia variants, as well as haemoglobin E, the SEAR carries a disproportionately high burden and faces specific challenges. Although a small number of mutations tends to dominate in each country, the range of underlying mutations and deletions is complex. Beyond molecular studies, epidemiological data remain limited in most SEAR countries. Key challenges include blood supply shortages, consanguinity, gender-based disparities in healthcare access, population migration redistributing mutation profiles, and poor awareness. Recommendations to reduce the health burden of thalassaemia syndromes in the SEAR include setting up national registries, expanding premarital and prenatal screening, improving blood supply coordination, and promoting culturally sensitive education. Without targeted investments and policy commitment, most SEAR populations will remain unable to benefit from recent therapeutic advances, including emerging gene therapies.
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BibTeX
@article{piel2026epidemiology,
title = {{The epidemiology of thalassaemia syndromes in Southeast Asia.}},
author = {Frédéric B Piel and Suthat Fucharoen and Mohammad Sorowar Hossain and Kittiphong Paiboonsukwong and Anuja Premawardhena and Bishow N Adhikari and Ne Win and Fathmath Jeehan Saleem and Gregorio Rangel and Roshan Colah},
journal = {The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.lansea.2026.100863},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903224},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The epidemiology of thalassaemia syndromes in Southeast Asia.
AU - Frédéric B Piel
AU - Suthat Fucharoen
AU - Mohammad Sorowar Hossain
AU - Kittiphong Paiboonsukwong
AU - Anuja Premawardhena
AU - Bishow N Adhikari
AU - Ne Win
AU - Fathmath Jeehan Saleem
AU - Gregorio Rangel
AU - Roshan Colah
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - The Lancet regional health. Southeast Asia
DO - 10.1016/j.lansea.2026.100863
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903224
AB - Thalassaemia syndromes are inherited haemoglobin disorders caused by mutations affecting α- and β-globin chains, ranging in severity from asymptomatic to transfusion-dependent. This Series paper synthesises epidemiological data across ten WHO Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) countries, combining local expertise with a rapid literature review. Due to the high prevalence of α- and β-thalassaemia variants, as well as haemoglobin E, the SEAR carries a disproportionately high burden and faces specific challenges. Although a small number of mutations tends to dominate in each country, the range of underlying mutations and deletions is complex. Beyond molecular studies, epidemiological data remain limited in most SEAR countries. Key challenges include blood supply shortages, consanguinity, gender-based disparities in healthcare access, population migration redistributing mutation profiles, and poor awareness. Recommendations to reduce the health burden of thalassaemia syndromes in the SEAR include setting up national registries, expanding premarital and prenatal screening, improving blood supply coordination, and promoting culturally sensitive education. Without targeted investments and policy commitment, most SEAR populations will remain unable to benefit from recent therapeutic advances, including emerging gene therapies.
SN - 2772-3682
ER -