Population genetics in the province of Ferrara. II. Survival of children with Cooley's anemia

Abstract

The demographic data of children with Cooley's anemia seen at the thalassemia center in Ferrara were analyzed. Survival was studied as a function of several variables, the most interesting being the distance between birthplaces of the parents of affected children. This distance was considered an indicator of genetic distance, and therefore an indicator of residual hybridity of the children. The significant regression of survival on interparental distance might be interpreted as an indicator of increased survival due to residual hybridity. The significant correlation of survival with expected hybridity supports this interpretation.