APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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

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

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

Partner who carries alpha zero thalassaemia			Partner who carries beta thalassaemia

Not a carrier	Carrier of alpha zero thalassaemia	Carrier of beta thalassaemia	Carrier of both alpha zero thalassaemia and beta thalassaemia

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

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