APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Alpha Thalassaemia (type unknown) and the Other carries Haemoglobin Lepore Thalassaemia

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

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

Partner who carries alpha thalassaemia (type unknown)			Partner who carries haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia

Not a carrier	Carrier of alpha thalassaemia (type unknown)	Carrier haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia	Carrier of both alpha thalassaemia (type unknown) and haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry alpha thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may carry haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may inherit alpha thalassaemia from one parent and haemoglobin Lepore 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 alpha or haemoglobin Lepore 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