<prompt> A 6 months old infant with Hb of 6 gm has peripheral blood showing target cells increased reticulocytes. Family history of similar complaints is Positive. Diagnosis can be best done with which of the following?Hb electrophoresisELISACoombs TestOsmotic fragility  <response>: Presence of - Anemia Hb 6, Target cells, Increased reticulocytes with a positive family history - suggest the diagnosis of thalassemia Out of investigations given in question, Hb electrophoresis helps the most in diagnosing Thalassemia. BETA-THALASSEMIA: - DEFECT-Decreased production of Beta globin chains. - COMMON MUTATIONS IN INDIA: IVS 1-5 G - C IVS 1-1 G - T Codon 4142 Codon 819 619 by deletion - CLASSIFICATION: Thalassemia trait: - Heterozygous state - Mild Anemia HbA2 3.5 Thalassemia intermediate b0b: - Moderate anaemia, Hepatosplenomegaly ,HbF elevated Thalassemia major b0b0: - Homozygous, severe anaemia, Hepatosplenomegaly ,HbF markedly elevated, require regular transfusions 