 The thalassemias are aserious hereditary disorders caused by mutations in the globin gene that lead to either decreased or absent globin chain synthesis.
Major (Beta-thalassemia cooley`s anameia) is a major public health problem in Turkey, Antalya province, as in many Mediterranean countries. Affected children are normal at birth but they start to become anemic after a few months requiring lifelong transfusion and iron chelation therapy.
The incidence of beta-thalassaemia trait was found to be around 2.1 % .the distribution of beta-thalassaemia varies in different regions of turkey. İn Turkish Mediterranean coast (particularly Antalya Mugla, Mersin Adana and Hatay), western regions around Aegean sea and Marmara sea, in the regions inhabited by Turkish immigrants from Cyprus, Crete, Rhodes, Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania and Albania, the incidence of beta-thalassaemia is higher than the average 2 % given above. There are approximately 1.500.000 traits and 5000 patients in Turkey .
The aim of this project is to prevent the birth rate of thalassemic babies!!!
To screen premarital young populations, to give genetic counseling to them and to make prenatal diagnosis at risk couples and to prevent the birth rate of thalassemic babies.
We are planning at last 1500 persons in three villages during this screen period.
RESPONSİBİLİTİES
1. Prof.Dr. Duran Canatan: pediatric hematolog. The honorary president of Mediterranean Blood Diseases Foundation
2. Prof.Dr. İhsan Karadoğan : Adult hematolog. The President of Mediterranean Blood Diseases Foundation
3. Hakan Postacilar- Antalya Rotary Club
The cost is 15.000 USD for the screening of 1500 persons in a village. | 
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