Abstract
Fetal haemoglobin (HbF) level shows significant variations in health and disease states. In this study we investigated Hb F level in 75 cord bloods, 1266 healthy individuals, 1582 Hb S heterozygotes, 464 sickle cell anaemia, 93 Hb S/β2-thalassemia and 65 β-thalassemia major patients. The age range of the study groups varied from newborn to over 60 years of age. Hb F level was measured by an alkali denaturation procedure and by radial immunodiffusion. The ratio of the level of Gγ-globin chains to the level of Aγ-globin chains (Gγ/Aγ) was determined in the patients group by high performance liquid chromatography. The Hb F level was significantly higher in the sickle cell anaemia and β-thalassemia major patients compared to the Hb S heterozygotes and the normal individuals. Within each group Hb F level was higher in the female population compared to the age-matched male groups. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) in the sickle cell disease patients and β-thalassemia major patients but not in the normal individuals. After the age of 30 years, the difference in the value of Hb F in the male and female population become more apparent (P<0.05) in the sickle cell disease and β-thalassaemia major patients. No statistically significant sex differences were found in the Gγ/Aγratio in the patient groups, and the range of Gγ/Aγratio in the patients groups were similar to those in the control group.
The results showed that age, sex and genetic disorders of haemoglobin are factors that affect Hb F level and indicate the possible involvement of an X-linked factor in control of Hb F production.
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El-Hazmi, M.A.F., Warsy, A.S., Addar, M.H.N. et al. Fetal haemoglobin level—effect of gender, age and haemoglobin disorders. Mol Cell Biochem 135, 181–186 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00926521
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00926521