APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Alpha Zero Thalassaemia and the Other carries Alpha Plus Thalassaemia

This couple could have a child with haemoglobin H disease.

Partner who carries alpha zero thalassaemia			Partner who carries alpha plus thalassaemia

Not a carrier	Carrier of alpha zero thalassaemia	Carrier of alpha plus thalassaemia	Child with "haemoglobin H disease"

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilites:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry alpha plus thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may carry alpha zero thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may inherit alpha plus thalassaemia from one parent and alpha zero thalassaemia from the other. This child will have an inherited anaemia called haemoglobin H disease.

Haemoglobin H disease...

... is a moderate form of anaemia. It is unfortunate that doctors call it a disease, because most people with haemoglobin H disease lead a normal life. They go to school, work and have children just like other people. They occasionally need additional medical treatment, and should attend a haematology clinic every year for a check-up.

This couple should see a specialist in haemoglobin disorders for expert information. Once they have seen a specialist most couples are not worried about the possibility of having a child with haemoglobin H disease. They usually ask for the baby to be checked when it is born, to see if it has Haemoglobin H disease or not.

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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