Abstract
Haemoglobinopathies are a group of haematological disorders, which are responsible for pathological variants and medical complications. On the other hand, some haemoglobin variants couldn't make any detectable illnesses. About 30 to 50% of the variant hemoglobin in red blood cells detected among carriers was reported with structural abnormalities. Multi-research studies have been found that hemoglobin S is the most common variant hemoglobin between carriers, accounting for 40% and associated with more than 80% of patient's clinical manifestations. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 948 000 couples were newly diagnosed with hemoglobin variants annually. Thus, carrier screening program within the highly affected population are essential to reduce or /and prevent the prevalence of such blood hemoglobin variant. This study, investigated a total of 9008 blood samples of Saudi male and female, who visiting the Centre of premarital screening center in Taif city, western region of Saudi Arabia from October 2017 to August 2018. Abnormal haemoglobin fractions were detected among 122 (1.3%) cases when screened with HPLC. This study also showed that 72 (59%) of participant were presented with Hb S heterozygous as major abnormality followed by beta thalassemia minor with 25 (20%). Studying the incidence and distribution of hemoglobin variants and their genetic mutations will provide opportunities for prevention and lower incidence. In addition to the massive efforts accomplished by the Saudi government to prevent at-risk marriages, this study suggests that the early diagnosis and detection for these hemoglobin variants offered for young couples as they can discuss the issue in the primary period of the marriage proposal.