Surang Na-Nakorn

The incidence of G6PD deficiency among 338 Thai males with senile cataracts was 5.92% while 446 control Thai males gave an incidence of 6.95%. The figures in females were 16.29% and 14% among 201 senile cataracts females and 200 control females respectively. The age of onset of senile cataracts was not different between the G6PD deficient and G6PD normal groups. The findings indicate that, at least in Thailand, G6PD deficiency in general is not a factor in cataractogenesis.

Four heterozygotes for a fast alpha-chain variant in a Thai family were detected on starch gel electrophoresis during a survey study on iron deficiency anaemia in a rural area not far from Bangkok. They were healthy and had normal haematological profiles except for the presence of around 44% abnormal pigment, quantitated by cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The structural characterization of the variant by globin chain separation, peptide mapping, and amino acid analyses of the abnormal peptides indicated that lysine residue 11 (A9) of alpha-chain was replaced by glutamic acid. This mutation has not been previously described and it is proposed that it be called Haemoglobin Anantharaj.

Various combinations of hypertension, convulsion, severe headache, and cerebral haemorrhage appeared in eight thalassaemic patients after they had received 3--7 units of blood in preparation for splenectomy. Intracranial haemorrhage definitely developed in four patients, three of whom died. At necropsy the brains showed changes similar to those of hypertensive cerebral haemorrhage and hypertensive encephalopathy. It is believed that hypertension initiates this syndrome. Since the episodes often occurred days, as long as 15 days, after the last unit of blood was transfused, hypertension did not seem to result from volume overload, but probably from vasopressive substances provided by or occurring in association with multiple blood-transfusions. Host factors may also contribute.

... It there-fore gives a valuable indication of the function of the heart as well as of respiration. ... biol. Engng, 3, 161. Haemoglobin E and a-Thalassaemia* P. WASI,t MB, PH.D.; M. SOOKANEK,t MB; S. POOTRAKULt MB, MS;S. NA-NAKORNt MD A. SUINGDUMRONGt MB Brit. med. ...

... Hb Con Sp trait is associated with increased amounts of Hb Bart's in cord blood (21), and together with athalassemial gene gives rise to Hb H disease. ... Clin. Med. 66, 476481. 14. Weatherall, DJ, Clegg, JB, and Naughton, MA (1965) Nature 208, 10611065. 15. ...