DISTINGUISHING SICKLE TRAIT FROM SICKLE-β-THALASSEMIA IN THE ABORTED FETUS

Abstract

Continuing studies of hemoglobin synthesis by reticulocytes of abortuses have provided further information necessary for prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia and β-thalassemia. These data indicate that sickle trait and sickle-β-thalassemia can be distinguished in the fetus. Moreover, since the AS fetus with one βA gene makes 50% as much Hb A as the normal fetus with two βA genes, the percent of Hb A synthesis in fetuses with β-thalassemia trait who have one normal βA gene should be similar to that observed in the AS fetus (4.6) and, therefore, different from that of the normal fetus (9.3). Thus, in all probability β-thalassemia trait can be distinguished from normal during fetal life.