Hereditary red cell disorders in Southeast Asian refugees and the effect on the prevalence of thalassemia disorders in the United States.

This investigation established the frequency and prevalence of hemoglobin E, alpha and beta thalassemia, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in a group of Southeast Asian individuals and determined the impact upon the prevalence of thalassemia disorders in the United States. The resettlement program of Southeast Asian refugees has significantly increased the total number of serious thalassemic disorders in the United States. For several generations Southeast Asian children will be the principal thalassemic group.