APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when Both Partners carry Beta Thalassaemia

This couple could have a child with beta thalassaemia major.

Partner who carries beta thalassaemia			Partner who carries beta thalassaemia

Not a carrier	Carrier of beta thalassaemia	Carrier of beta thalassaemia	Child with thalassaemia major

In each pregnancy, there are three possibilities:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry beta thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may inherit beta thalassaemia from both parents. The child would have a serious inherited anaemia called beta thalassaemia major.

In each pregnancy there is a 3 out of 4 chance of a healthy child, and a 1 out of 4 risk of child with beta thalassaemia major.

Beta thalassaemia major...

... is a severe anaemia that starts between 6 months and 1 year of age. is a severe anaemia that starts between 6 months and 1 year of age. Most affected people need a blood transfusion every month, for life, and other medical treatments. A few people who inherit beta thalassaemia from both parents have a milder anaemia and may manage without blood transfusions.

We cannot reliably predict which couples could have children with severe or milder thalassaemia.

It is possible to test a baby for beta thalassaemia major early in pregnancy. This couple should see an expert counsellor in haemoglobin disorders to discuss their options, before starting a pregnancy, or as early in pregnancy as possible.

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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.

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