Thalassemia classification
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Classification
The thalassemias are classified according to which chain of the hemoglobin molecule is affected (see hemoglobin for a description of the chains). In α thalassemias, production of the α globin chain is affected, while in β thalassemia production of the β globin chain is affected.
Alpha-thalassemia
Loss of 1 alpha chains
Loss of 2 alpha chains
Loss of 3 alpha chains
This is also know as hemoglobin H (HbH).
Loss of 4 alpha chains
Complete loss of alpha-globin chain production results in a severe, clinically incapacitating anemia with production of 4 gamma-globin chains as a tetramer. The clinical syndrome is hydrops fetalis. The tetramer of 4 gamma-globin chains is also known as hemoglobin Barts (Hb Barts).
Beta-thalassemia
Beta0 thalassemia (B0 thalassemia)
Heterozygotes that have B0 thalassemia have high [[red blood cell] counts. Red blood cells in beta-thalassemia 0 heterozygotes are hypochromic and microcytic. This disease is characterized by unbalanced or unequal globin chain synthesis and increased HbA2 (which consists of two alpha-globin chains and two delta-globin chains).[1]
Beta+ thalassemia (B+ thalassemia)
Heterozygotes that have B+ thalassemia have high [[red blood cell] counts. Red blood cells in B+ thalassemia are hypochromic and microcytic. This disease is characterized by unbalanced or unequal globin chain synthesis and increased HbA2 (which consists of two alpha-globin chains and two delta-globin chains).[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cao A, Kan YW (2013). "The prevention of thalassemia". Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 3 (2): a011775. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a011775. PMC 3552345. PMID 23378598.