APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Beta Thalassaemia and the Other carries Haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia

This couple could have a child with beta thalassaemia major

Partner who carries beta thalassaemia			Partner who carries haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia

Not a carrier	Carrier of beta thalassaemia	Carrier of haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia	Child with beta thalassaemia major or intermedia

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry beta thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may carry haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may inherit beta thalassaemia from one parent and haemoglobin Lepore from the other. This child would have a serious inherited anaemia called beta thalassaemia major or beta thalassaemia intermedia.

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. Most affected people need a blood transfusion every month, for life, and other treatments. Some people who inherit beta thalassaemia from one parent and haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia from the other have a milder anaemia called beta thalassaemia intermedia, 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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