APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

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

This couple could have a child with haemoglobin S/Lepore thalassaemia.

Partner who carries haemoglobin S			Partner who carries haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia

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

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may carry haemoglobin S (sickle cell). This is harmless.
The child may inherit haemoglobin Lepore thalassaemia from one parent and sickle cell from the other. This child would have a serious inherited anaemia called haemoglobin S/Lepore 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/Lepore thalassaemia.

Haemoglobin S/Lepore thalassaemia...

...is a sickle cell disorder. Children with haemoglobin S/Lepore thalassaemia have an increased risk of serious infections, and need to take antibiotics daily. Some people with haemoglobin S/Lepore thalassaemia are healthy all their life, but some have anaemia and some have attacks of severe pain in joints or other parts of the body from time to time. People with haemoglobin S/Lepore 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/Lepore thalassaemia.

It is possible to test a baby for Haemoglobin S/Lepore 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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