[Thalassemia in French-speaking Quebec residents]

Abstract

Eighty-five cases of beta-thalassemia minor were found between January 1975 and November 1977 in 18 families of French-speaking Quebeckers without Mediterranean ancestry. Most of the families had settled in Quebec more than 200 years ago, largely in Portneuf county. This is the first report of such a number of cases of beta-thalassemia in this population. Thus, beta-thalassemia minor is a relatively common condition in Quebec and must be considered in cases of microcytic anemia without evidence of iron deficiency. The hematologic findings were similar to those reported in the past in other populations. Two cases of delta beta-thalassemia minor (in sisters) are also reported; this is the first report of such cases in French Canadians.