APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Alpha plus Thalassaemia and the Other carries Haemglobin O Arab

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

Partner who carries alpha plus thalassaemia			Partner who carries haemoglobin O Arab

Not a carrier	Carrier of alpha plus thalassaemia	Carrier of haemoglobin O Arab	Carrier of both alpha plus thalassaemia and haemoglobin O Arab

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 Haemoglobin O Arab. This is harmless.
The child may inherit alpha plus thalassaemia from one parent and Haemoglobin O Arab from the other. This is harmless.

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

When the children grow up...

...they should have blood test to see if they have inherited haemoglobin O Arab. 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