α0-Thalassemia trait with normal red cell indices: a report of two cases.

Thalassemia screening usually involves cut-off values based on a mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of less than 80 fL or a mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) of less than 27 pg. These strategies are able to detect almost all heterozygous carriers of the α-thalassemia (α-thal) (- -(SEA)) deletion in the Chinese population. However, an exception can occur. We describe an α(0)-thal trait with normal red cell indices in two Chinese individuals.