prevalence of microcytosis in neonates: a cross-sectional study in tehran

background :identification of α thalassemia (α thal) a common cause of microcytosis during neonatal periods is an important step prevent unnecessary interventions. thus, low the mean corpuscular volume (mcv) and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (mch) may consider as α-thalassemia key detection points. the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of microcytosis among neonates who born in tehran, iran.   methods : cord blood samples were collected from 1001 newborns after birth in labor room and their red blood cell parameters were investigated.   results : mcv was 114.2 fl (95% ci: 113.5-114.9) and twenty three neonates (2.3%) had mcv less than 94 fl that classified as microcytosis and 4 (0.40%) had both low mch and mcv.   conclusion : low mcv especially in normal hb newborns may hints for α thal detection.