Globin chain synthesis analysis by high performance liquid chromatography in the screening of thalassemia syndromes.

We applied reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography for globin chain synthesis analysis in screening for beta-thalassemia. The alpha/non-alpha-globin chain synthesis ratios have been determined in alpha-, beta-, and deltabeta-thalassemia carriers using the classical carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography as the reference method. Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography is fast, accurate, and reproducible, and may be a suitable alternative for the traditional carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography.