Tehran University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Hematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Research 2008-2207 4 1 2010 03 15 23 27 Alireza Moafi Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Sadeg Valian Division of Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran Zahra Nikyar Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Mehrdad Zeinalian The Office of Health Services, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Maryam Momenzadeh The Office of Health Services, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Soheila Rahgozar Division of Molecular and Cell Biology, Department of Biology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran 2015 10 01 Introduction:The current study evaluated the value of red blood cell (RBC) indices and the corresponding cut- off points for β-thalassemia control programs in Iran. Materials and Methods:1,150 individuals (575 couples) with low RBC indices and normal hemoglobin A2 who had been referred to the Genetic Centre of Isfahan, were tested during pre-marital screening analyses, in the 2 year period, 2006-2008. β-thalassemia mutations were evaluated. Results: β-thalassemia was identified in 67.8% of the cases with both mean corpuscular volume (MCV) less than 78fl and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) less than 26 pg. However, 4.1% of the individuals with  78≤ MCV≤ 80 tested positive for thalassemia. MCV showed a higher diagnostic reliability than MCH. However, the accompaniment of MCH<26 with MCV<78 increased the risk of thalassemia 35 times. A significant association was found between the prevalence of minor β-thalassemia and educational levels, race and familial relationships. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that MCV=80fl can be used as a proper cut- off point for the screening of minor β-thalassemia. Although in the present study MCV was found to have a higher diagnostic reliability than MCH, MCH <26 along with MCV are very helpful indices for the counselor physician to estimate the risk of minor β-thalassemia more accurately. https://ijhoscr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijhoscr/article/view/237 https://ijhoscr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijhoscr/article/download/237/230