APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Alpha plus Thalassaemia and the Other carries Delta-beta Thalassaemia

The following information applies only if the partner who carries delta-beta thalassaemia has had a DNA test that shows he or she does not also carry alpha plus thalassaemia.

There is no particular problem for this couple. This combination cannot cause an inherited anaemia in their children.

Partner who carries alpha plus thalassaemia			Partner who carries delta-beta thalassaemia

Not a carrier	Carrier of alpha plus thalassaemia	Carrier of delta-beta thalassaemia	Carrier of both alpha plus thalassaemia and delta-beta thalassaemia

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry alpha plus thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may carry delta-beta thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may inherit alpha plus thalassaemia from one parent and delta-beta thalassaemia from the other. This is harmless.

This couple has the same chance of a healthy family as other couples do.

When the children grow up...

... they should have blood test to see if they have inherited delta-beta thalassaemia. If they have, their partner should have a test "for haemoglobin disorders". It is important to remember this for the future.

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These documents are part of the APoGI May 1998 (Evaluation) Release and are made available subject to the APoGI Disclaimers covering usage, distribution and copying.

Problems or further enquiries to APoGI@chime.ucl.ac.uk or the APoGI Contacts