Thalassemia in Jews from Kurdistan

1. Seven cases of Cooley’s anemia in Jews from Kurdistan residing in the Jerusalem area are presented with family studies. Four homozygous cases were severe and progressive. One ended fatally and the remaining 3 were kept alive by frequent blood transfusions. Three heterozygous cases showed a milder course.

2. It is suggested on the basis of these and other observations that the Jews of Kurdistan constitute a hitherto unknown reservoir of the genetic abnormality responsible for Cooley’s anemia.