Southeast Asian Ovalocytosis and Hemoglobinopathies in Newborns: Prevalence, Molecular, and Hematologic Analyses.

Objectives: Southeast Asian ovalocytosis (SAO) is an inherited red blood cell (RBC) membrane disorder, whereas hemoglobinopathies are inherited globin gene disorders. In an area where both diseases are prevalent, the interaction between them resulting in variable hematologic parameters can be encountered. However, little is known about the genetic interaction of SAO and thalassemia.