Compound heterozygous delta beta thalassemia with IVS 1-5 (G>C) mutation presenting as thalassemia major phenotype

Abstract

Delta beta thalassemia is an unusual variant of thalassemia with elevated level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Unlike beta thalassemia, delta beta thalassemia heterozygotes have milder phenotype and homozygotes present as thalassemia intermedia phenotype. We report a 11-month-old male child who presented with severe anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly, thalassemia major phenotype. On evaluation was diagnosed as compound heterozygous for δβ0/β thalassemia with IVS 1-5 (G>C) mutation. This case highlights the importance of genotyping of patients with δβ thalassemia and co-inheritance of δβ thalassemia deletion with point mutation for β-thalassemia results in severe clinical phenotype as thalassemia major.