Haematological indices as screening tool in distinguishing beta thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anaemia: Insights from a tertiary hospital study.

Among the various discriminator formulas applied, two indices, such as EI and MI showed the highest accuracy, and maximum score in Youdens' formula. Hence, in mass screening or in cases suspected to have IDA, either MI <13 or Ehsani index <17 with normal serum ferritin levels can be subjected to HPLC evaluation for the diagnosis of beta thalassemia carrier cases.