APoGI for the Haemoglobin Disorders

Download This Content

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

This couple could have a child with haemoglobin S/O Arab disorder.

Partner who carries haemoglobin S			Partner who carries haemoglobin O Arab

Not a carrier	Carrier of haemoglobin S	Carrier of haemoglobin O Arab	Child with haemoglobin S/O Arab disorder

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry haemoglobin O Arab. This is harmless.
The child may carry haemoglobin S (sickle cell). This is harmless.
The child may inherit haemoglobin O Arab from one parent and haemoglobin S from the other. This child would have haemoglobin S/O Arab disorder.

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/O Arab disorder.

Haemoglobin S/O Arab disorder...

...is a sickle cell disorder. It is rare, and we are not able to describe it with complete confidence. It is generally thought to be a mild type of sickle cell disorder. Children with a sickle cell disorder have an increased risk of serious infections, and need to take antibiotics daily. Some people with haemoglobin S/O Arab disorder are completely healthy all their life. Some are anaemic, and 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/O Arab disorder should attend a sickle cell clinic regularly for a check-up and advice.

At present, it is not possible to predict whether a particular couple could have children with mild, moderate or severe haemoglobin S/O Arab disorder.

It is possible to test a baby for Haemoglobin S/O Arab disorder early in pregnancy. This couple should see an expert counsellor in haemoglobin disorders to discuss their options. They should do this before starting a pregnancy, or as early in pregnancy as possible.

Download Formats

Adobe Acrobat format (PDF) in colour and black-and-white

Microsoft Rich Text Format in colour and black-and-white

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.

Problems or further enquiries to APoGI@chime.ucl.ac.uk or the APoGI Contacts