Discussion Forums > Thalassemia Major

Fetal Hemoglobin

(1/4) > >>

Christine Mary:
Does anyone know how rare it is for a major to function off of fetal hgf for life????

Is it unusual that is lasts into adulthood???

Thanks,
Christine

Andy Battaglia:
Raised fetal hemoglobin levels are normally found in majors, but by definition, majors cannot survive without transfusions.The percentage of HbF found in majors varies but it is not enough for them to function. The only exception I know of is the few cases in trials where majors have had HbF stimulated by hydroxyurea and became transfusion independent. If the body makes enough hemoglobin to survive without transfusion, the diagnosis would be either intermedia or minor.

Christine Mary:
thanks Andy!~!

Makes perfect sense  :thumbsup

KHALIFA:
Regard my son we was in very bad situation when he born his FHB was 98% and Prof.jhon porter in UCH in london told me you son is thalass.intermidia and for 3years he didn't recive any blood trans. and always his HB between 8 and 10 .. but after this three years he be sick when i took him to the hospital i found out thy HB was just 4 so from that day they start transf. him every month until i made for him the BMT ..
                                                  khalifa
                                             state of kuwait

Manal:
There is something here that i can't understand!!

We are supposed to take the hydroxyurea to increase the HB f levels in the body and therefore stop transfusions, so why Abdel Wahab for example couldn't though his HB F was 98%?? In intermedia thal, this works although genetically majors and intermedias are the same???

I understood from previous posts that adults can survive with HB F instead of the adult HB so why majors can't though they have a lot of HB F???

I am so confused :huh :huh

Manal

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page