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Can New Born Have The Trait Of Thalassemia Or Sickle Cell?
Question: Respected sir, my younger son born on 03 Nov 2023( weight 2.4 kg during birth) by caeserean delivery. His stem cell was collected during delivery for preservation. I got the report via email. I am attaching it. please be kind to check is their anything serious on the report ???? In email it is written something about HB S. In suggestive interpretation part of the report it is written 3% peak in HB S. Is there anything serious or it is completely normal ? After reading from internet regarding thalassemia and sickle cell , I did HPLC for myself. The report is also attached. Sir, can it be concluded that the baby can't have thalassemia or sickle cell desease as his father is not having even trait? Can it be concluded that in the worst case baby can have only the trait of thalassemia or sickle cell?
Brief Answer:
Hb electrophoresis needs to be repeated as baby grows.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your hemoglobin electrophoresis report (Hb electrophoresis).
Your report shows normal hemoglobin chains.
The cord blood Hb electrophoresis needs to be repeated at 3-4 months and also baby attains one year of age.
The hemoglobin chains change as baby grows and thus the Hb chains detected in cord blood cannot be considered final.
The Hb S of 3% cannot be taken as final since Hb chains change as baby will grow.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Hb electrophoresis needs to be repeated as baby grows.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your hemoglobin electrophoresis report (Hb electrophoresis).
Your report shows normal hemoglobin chains.
The cord blood Hb electrophoresis needs to be repeated at 3-4 months and also baby attains one year of age.
The hemoglobin chains change as baby grows and thus the Hb chains detected in cord blood cannot be considered final.
The Hb S of 3% cannot be taken as final since Hb chains change as baby will grow.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Respected madam, can a baby has thalassemia desease or sickle cell desease (not traits) even if at least one parent is not having even traits? Or maximum to maximum the baby can have thalassemia traits or sickle cell traits as his father is not having even the traits ?
As I don't have thalassemia or sickle cell trait, can my baby develop full fledged thalassemia or sicklecell desease?
As I don't have thalassemia or sickle cell trait, can my baby develop full fledged thalassemia or sicklecell desease?
Brief Answer:
Current Hb electrophoresis report of cord blood does not suggest Hb disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Hemoglobinopathies are hereditary diseases and thus, it passes from generation to generation.
Presence of mutation in any one or both parents increases the possibility of hemoglobinopathies in children.
However, it can occur without a family history due to random mutation.
In your case, there is presence of 3% Hb S in cord blood of baby, however, various hemoglobins change over period of time and it takes around one year for acquisition of adult hemoglobins.
Sickle cell anemia is autosomal recessive disease implying that both the genes have to be mutated to produce full blown disease.
My suggestion is to wait and get the Hb electrophoresis repeat after 3-4 months
It will not be right to label the baby with any hemoglobinopathy at this point of time since Hb electrophoresis is likely to change as baby grows.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Current Hb electrophoresis report of cord blood does not suggest Hb disease
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome again,
Hemoglobinopathies are hereditary diseases and thus, it passes from generation to generation.
Presence of mutation in any one or both parents increases the possibility of hemoglobinopathies in children.
However, it can occur without a family history due to random mutation.
In your case, there is presence of 3% Hb S in cord blood of baby, however, various hemoglobins change over period of time and it takes around one year for acquisition of adult hemoglobins.
Sickle cell anemia is autosomal recessive disease implying that both the genes have to be mutated to produce full blown disease.
My suggestion is to wait and get the Hb electrophoresis repeat after 3-4 months
It will not be right to label the baby with any hemoglobinopathy at this point of time since Hb electrophoresis is likely to change as baby grows.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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