You are asked to counsel a married couple expecting a baby. They are both fit and well, with no previous medical history. They both originate from South East Asia, and have no family history of birth abnormalities. There are no abnormalities on examination.
Results are shown below:
MALE
Hb 11.7 g/dl
Mean cell volume 70 fl
Mean cell haemoglobin 19 pg
Red cell count 5.6 x 1012/l
Haemoglobin electrophoresis normal
FEMALE
Hb 10.1 g/dl
Mean cell volume 68 fl
Mean cell haemoglobin 18 pg
Red cell count 6.0 x 1012/l
Haemoglobin electrophoresis normal
What condition is the fetus at risk from inheriting?
A. ß-Thalassaemia trait
B. Thalassaemia intermedia
C. Hydrops fetalis
D. Thalassaemia major
E. Homozygous haemoglobin E
can anyone explain?
Results are shown below:
MALE
Hb 11.7 g/dl
Mean cell volume 70 fl
Mean cell haemoglobin 19 pg
Red cell count 5.6 x 1012/l
Haemoglobin electrophoresis normal
FEMALE
Hb 10.1 g/dl
Mean cell volume 68 fl
Mean cell haemoglobin 18 pg
Red cell count 6.0 x 1012/l
Haemoglobin electrophoresis normal
What condition is the fetus at risk from inheriting?
A. ß-Thalassaemia trait
B. Thalassaemia intermedia
C. Hydrops fetalis
D. Thalassaemia major
E. Homozygous haemoglobin E
can anyone explain?