Title: GENETIC RISK FOR A BETA THALASSAEMIACARRIER, WHOSE PARTNER CARRIES HAEMOGLOBIN O Arab
Author: Mary Petrou
Last saved by: Matthew Darlison

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.

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 a 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.
To find out more about haemoglobin disorders contact: