Abstract
Levels of Hb Bart's in Thai neonates of 2-10% and 1-2% indicate the presence of the α-thal2 or α-thal2 genes, respectively. We have previously shown that the 3.0% of black neonates with greater than 2.0% Hb Bart's have α-thalassemia trait (Pediat.Res. 8:955, 1974). In a screening study in 1970-72, we found that 12.0% of the 693 neonates screened had 1.1-1.7% Hb Bart's, using starch gel electrophoresis and CM Sephadex chromatography. Follow-up studies were done on 8 infants who had 1-2% Hb Bart's at birth and on 7 without Hb Bart's. The children were between 25 and 60 months of age at the time of study. There were no differences in Hb levels, RBC and reticulocyte counts between the groups. Significant differences were found in mean cell volume, 79.4±3.4 and 72.6±2.9 (p<0.01) and mean cell hemoglobin, 26.74±1.7 and 24.0±1.3 (p<0.01), with the lower values in the children who had Hb Bart's at birth. The levels of Hb A2, Hb F, serum Fe, Fe-binding capacity and Pb were normal in the two groups. The results indicate a mild form of α-thalassemia in infants with 1-2% Hb Bart's at birth, and some type of α-thalassemia in 15.0% of all black newborns in Philadelphia. This high incidence should be taken into account in determining normal values for red cell indices in black children, and in evaluating the diversity of expression of other hemoglobin disorders in blacks.
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Asner, B., Friedman, S., Atwater, J. et al. THE OCCURRENCE OF 1–2% HB BART'S IN A HIGH PROPORTION OF BLACK NEONATES AS AN EXPRESSION OF α-THALASSEMIA. Pediatr Res 11, 467 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00582
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00582