Background

Hemoglobin E (Hb E) is the most common hemoglobin variant in Southeast Asia as well as in Northeast India. Frequency of Hb E is examined among some population groups of Northeast India.

Methods

Nine endogamous groups, from different parts of Northeast India, were studied. Blood samples were examined in the laboratory following capillary electrophoresis method (SEBIA).

Results

Among the studied nine populations. highest frequency of Hb E (0.4099) is found among the Lyngam Khasi, whereas its lowest frequency (0.0178) is found among the War Khasi. This gene frequency was found to be low in six populations out of nine. Higher gene frequency is recorded in two Austro-Asiatic groups namely, the Lyngam and Garo, and one Tibeto-Burman Group namely, the Rabha.

Conclusion
Higher Hb E gene frequency in these groups may be due to founder effect or local inbreeding.