[Systematic screening of hemoglobinopathies in blood donors in Guadeloupe (French West Indies)].

We report the results of a systematic survey carried on 8.961 healthy Guadeloupean blood donors, where we looked for hemoglobinopathies. The results are expressed in regard of the race and site of living (urban or rural) of the subjects. Of these 8.961 subjects, aged 18 to 60, 7.75% were sickle cell trait carriers, 2.36% were heterozygous for Hb C and 0,2% had a significant elevation of Hb F. Were also report some less frequent phenotypes : three Hb AD, five Hb SC, one Hb CC, two Hb SF, one Hb CF and one case of isolated Hb, A2 elevation. Two rare hemoglobinopathies are reported: a case of Hb Korle Bu associated with Hb S an a case of Hb N-Baltimore. Our datas regarding race and sex of Hb S and Hb C carriers are evaluated. These results are compared to previous studies carried on healthy blood donors in Guadeloups. Problems related to the detection of hemoglobin abnormalities in a blood transfusion center are reviewed.