APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Beta Thalassaemia and One carries Haemoglobin O Arab

This couple could have a child with a moderate anaemia called haemoglobin O Arab/beta thalassaemia.

Partner who carries beta thalassaemia			Partner who carries haemoglobin O Arab

Not a carrier	Carrier of beta thalassaemia	Carrier of haemoglobin O Arab	Child with haemoblobin O Arab/beta thalassaemia

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

The child may not be a carrier at all.
The child may carry beta thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may carry haemoglobin O Arab. This is harmless.
The child may inherit beta thalassaemia from one parent, and haemoglobin O Arab from the other. This child would have a moderate inherited anaemia called haemoglobin O Arab/beta thalassaemia.

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 haemoglobin O Arab/beta thalassaemia.

Haemoglobin O Arab/beta-thalassaemia...

... is a form of anaemia. Most affected people are not as strong as others and need extra care. A few have a very mild anaemia and lead a normal life, and a few have a severe anaemia and need a blood transfusion every month. We cannot reliably predict which carrier couples could have children with mild, moderate or severe haemoglobin O Arab/beta thalassaemia.

It is possible to test a baby for haemoglobin O Arab/beta thalassaemia 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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