Thool, A AWalde, M SShrikhande, A VTalib, V H1998-10-292009-05-291998-10-292009-05-291998-10-29Thool AA, Walde MS, Shrikhande AV, Talib VH. A simple screening test for the detection of heterozygous beta thalassemia. Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology. 1998 Oct; 41(4): 423-6http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/75835Beta-Thalassemia is prevalent in a high frequency of 5-15% in selected geographical areas and ethnic communities. There is need to screen large populations for the heterozygotes of beta-Thalassemia. We have evaluated NESTROFT (Naked eye single tube red cell osmotic fragility test) with 0.36% buffered saline in this study. Of the population screened, 42 cases were positive with NESTROFT, of which 40 were positive with the confirmatory test for beta-Thalassemia. This implies a positive predictive value and specificity of 100%, negative predictive value of 83.3% and sensitivity of 95.2%.engAdolescentAdultAgedChildChild, PreschoolErythrocytes --metabolismFemaleHeterozygote Detection --methodsHumansInfantLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedSensitivity and Specificitybeta-Thalassemia --diagnosisJournal Article