Haemaglobinopathies and sickle cell Flashcards
what is the problem in haemoglobinopathies
problems with globin chains
HbA2 has 2 alpha chains and 2 ____ chains
delta
HbA has 2 alpha chains and 2 _______ chains
beta
alpha like genes are on chromosome ___
16
beta like genes are on chromosome ___
11
adult levels of Hb reached by what age?
6-9 months
when does beta chain production kind of start
few months after birth
what are haemoglobinopathies
hereditary conditions affecting globin chain synthesis
two main groups of
- thalassaemias
- structural haemoglobin variants
thalassaemias
mutation resulted in you not producing enough of the globin chains
structural haemoglobin variants
normal production of abnormal globin chain
alpha thalassaemia
not making enough alpha globin chains
beta thalassaemia
not making enough beta globin chains
consequences of thalassaemias
inadequate Hb production —> microcytic hypochromic anaemia
If severe:
- Unbalanced accumulation of globin chains which are toxic to the cell
- Ineffective erythropoiesis
- Haemolysis
what does alpha thalassaemia result from?
results from deletion of one or both alpha genes from chromosome 16
alpha thalassaemia trait
missing one or two alpha genes
Microcytic, hypochromic red cells with mild anaemia
asymptomatic
don’t need treatment
carrier state
HbH disease
a form of alpha thalassaemia.
only one working alpha gene per cell - moderate to severe anaemia
Hb Barts hydrops fetalis
no functional α genes (–/–) incompatible with life
HbH disease signs symptoms
jaundice, splenomegaly
what is the most severe form of alpha thalassaemia
Hb Barts Hydrops Foetalis Syndrome