APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Haemoglobin S (Sickle Cell) and the Other carries Beta Thalassaemia

This couple could have a child with haemoglobin Sl/beta thalassaemia.

Partner who carries haemoglobin S			Partner who carries beta thalassaemia

Not a carrier	Carrier of haemoglobin S	Carrier of beta thalassaemia	Child with haemoglobin S/beta thalassaemia

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 S (sickle cell). This is harmless.
The child may inherit beta thalassaemia from one parent and sickle cell from the other. This child would have a serious inherited anaemia called haemoglobin S/beta thalassaemia.

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

Haemoglobin S/beta thalassaemia...

...is a sickle cell disorder. Children with haemoglobin S/beta thalassaemia have an increased risk of serious infections, and need to take antibiotics daily. A few people with haemoglobin S/beta thalassaemia are healthy all their life, but most have anaemia and many have attacks of severe pain in joints or other parts of the body from time to time. A few have severe health problems and need frequent admissions to hospital. People with haemoglobin S/beta thalassaemia should attend a sickle cell clinic regularly for a check-up and advice.

We cannot reliably predict whether a couple could have children with a mild, moderate or severe type of haemoglobin S/beta thalassaemia.

It is possible to test a baby for Haemoglobin S/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 March 1998 (Evaluation) Release and are made available subject to the APoGI Disclaimers covering usage, distribution and copying.

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