Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42123516›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

Mapping Current and Emerging Laboratory Techniques for Haemoglobinopathy Carrier Detection and Prevention: A Narrative Review from the HELIOS Action.

Norafiza Mohd Yasin, Sotiroula Chatzimatthaiou, Adela Perolla, Adoracion Blanco Alvarez, Miguel Brito, Ghada El-Kamah, Merita Xhetani, Petros Kountouris, Coralea Stephanou, Jan Traeger-Synodinos

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Norafiza Mohd YasinDepartment of Clinical Genetics/LDGA, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0003-4202-2438
Sotiroula ChatzimatthaiouDepartment of Blood Disorder Genetics and Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus.ORCID 0000-0003-4418-7965
Adela PerollaFaculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, 1005 Tirana, Albania.ORCID 0000-0002-5777-0845
Adoracion Blanco AlvarezHaematology Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of haematology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron (HUVH), Experimental Haematology, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
Miguel BritoHealth and Technology Research Center, Escola Superior de Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-6394-658X
Ghada El-KamahHuman Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo 12622, Egypt.ORCID 0000-0002-7739-1674
Merita XhetaniDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, 1009 Tirana, Albania.ORCID 0000-0001-6982-5498
Petros KountourisDepartment of Blood Disorder Genetics and Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus.ORCID 0000-0003-2681-4355
Coralea StephanouDepartment of Blood Disorder Genetics and Thalassaemia, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, 1683 Nicosia, Cyprus.ORCID 0000-0002-2546-6478
Jan Traeger-SynodinosSchool of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0002-1860-5628

Funding

COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) COST Action HELIOS CA22119
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Haemoglobinopathies remain a major public health challenge, predominantly in endemic regions. Increasing migration has extended their prevalence in previously non-endemic areas, complicating early detection and prevention. As part of the HELIOS CA22119 COST Action Working Group 1, this narrative review critically examines established and emerging laboratory techniques for haemoglobinopathy carrier detection. It also explores diagnostic limitations, regional disparities, and opportunities for global harmonisation to support early detection, prevention, and equitable care. A literature search of MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE (2014-2024) identified studies on the screening, diagnosis, and prevention of haemoglobinopathies. Findings were synthesised across three domains: (1) preventive strategies, (2) carrier screening methods, and (3) prenatal diagnostic approaches. Advances in molecular technologies have improved diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. However, conventional haematological approaches, particularly complete blood count and haemoglobin typing, remain essential and cost-effective first-line tools. Key challenges include unequal access to advanced diagnostics and the lack of standardised protocols across regions. Strengthening prevention requires coordinated global efforts to promote accessible, accurate, and standardised diagnostic approaches tailored to regional genomic, economic, and healthcare contexts. Early and equitable carrier detection, combined with effective prenatal diagnosis, is critical to reducing the global burden and improving health outcomes in both endemic and emerging regions.

Indexed as

Clinical Laboratory TechniquesGenetic Carrier ScreeningHemoglobinopathiesGenetic TestingHumansPrenatal Diagnosiscarrier screeningglobal epidemiologyhaemoglobinopathieslaboratory diagnosticsnarrative reviewprevention strategiesthalassaemia

Identifiers

PMID42123516
PMCPMC13164388

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.