[Abnormal hemoglobins in Algeria].

The existence of frequent hemoglobin abnormalities raises a Public Health problem in Algeria. The presence of genes for hemoglobin S, hemoglobin C and thalassemia in various regions of the country causes severe congenital hemolytic anemias: thalassemia, sickle-cell anemia, S thalassemia, association of HbS and HbC. These diseases are often invaliding requiring frequent admissions to hospital and have a high social cost. We have also observed certain rare hemoglobins, of which some, hemoglobin Setif, hemoglobin D Ouled Rabah were described for the first time in Algerians. They are not pathogenic in the heterozygous state.