Hematologic abnormalities in Southeast Asian refugees

J. Craft, D. Coleman, H. O. Coulter, R. Horwitz and M. Barry

Since 1979, we have provided comprehensive medical care to a group of 142 Southeast Asian refugees who relocated in Connecticut. In this group, we identified many hematologic abnormalities in both adults and children (18% anemias, 35% microcytosis). The majority of anemias were microcytic, secondary to iron deficiency and inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis. The latter were present in at least 7.5% of our population and accounted for the majority of patients with microcytosis. We conclude that hemoglobin electrophoresis and serological tests for iron stores can detect the cause of anemia found in most Southeast Asian refugees.