[Heterozygous beta-thalassemia in a large German family].

This report deals with a large German family in which 12 carriers of the trait had the characteristic hematologic abnormalities of thalassemia minor. Among these are increased red cell count, decreased hemoglobin content, microcytosis and marked hypochromia in the presence of normal or increased serum iron levels. Thalassemia should always be considered if these hematologic abnormalities are found. It probably occurs more often in central Europe than thought of hitherto.