Screening of Thalassemia Carriers, Hemoglobin Variants, and Comparison of Hematological Parameters between Children of Bangladesh and Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder with different severity spectrums. This study aimed to assess thalassemia screening rates between children of Bangladesh and selected camps of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and compare the hematological parameters among the screening groups. Complete blood count (CBC) analysis and hemoglobin electrophoresis for each participant were performed by collecting venous blood. Statistical analysis was employed for the comparison of parameters in blood. The thalassemia carrier and other hemoglobin variant rate in Bangladeshi children in selected areas have been found to be 20.7% and in FDMN children, the rate is 8.2%. Hematological differences are visualized among children of two nations. Intra-and interpopulation variances are highlighted in principal component analysis where higher variance (94.87%) in Bangladeshi children than FDMN children (80.68%). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analyses revealed, RBC (0.761, 0.902, and 0.791) and RDW-CV are better model (0.819, 0.925, and 0.858) among the classifier of blood parameters. Pearson correlation shows distinguished covariation or association among the parameters. The outcome of the study highlights the discrepancies in levels of carriers in regions in Bangladesh and suggests further screening as well as population based molecular research to ensure better treatment strategies. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement Kasrina Azad received funds from First Security Islami Bank, Bangladesh (). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Not Applicable The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: APPROVAL LETTER IRB of ideSHi PNR-22003 18 April 2022 Ms Rumana Mahtarin Principal Investigator of research protocol # PNR-22003, and PhD Fellow Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi) Sub: Approval of research protocol # PNR-22003 Approval Date: 18 April 2022 Review Type: Full Committee Review Risk Level: No more than minimal Project type: New Project Dear Ms Mahtarin, Thank you for your memo dated 15 April 2022 attaching the modified version of your research protocol # PNR-22003, titled “Molecular analysis of β-globin and iron regulatory genes in thalassemia carriers and different disease spectrums of HbE/β and β-thalassemia major patients in Bangladesh”, addressing the issues raised by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in its March meeting held on 19 March 2022 at the ideSHi Meeting Room, to satisfaction of the Board. I am pleased to inform you that your protocol is approved. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Not Applicable I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Not Applicable I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Not Applicable All relevant data are within the manuscript