FETAL HEMOGLOBIN LEVEL - EFFECT OF GENDER, AGE AND HEMOGLOBIN DISORDERS

Fetal haemoglobin (Hb F) level shows significant variations in health and disease states. In this study we investigated Hb F level in 75 cor d bloods, 1266 healthy individuals, 1582 Hb S heterozygotes, 464 sickl e cell anaemia, 93 Hb S/beta degrees-thalassemia and 65 beta-thalassem ia major patients. The age range of the study groups varied from newbo rn to over 60 years of age. Hb F level was measured by an alkali denat uration procedure and by radial immunodiffusion. The ratio of the leve l of G gamma-globin chains to the level of A gamma-globin chains (G ga mma/A gamma) was determined in the patients group by high performance liquid chromatography. The Hb F level was significantly higher in the sickle cell anaemia and beta-thalassemia major patients compared to th e Hb S heterozygotes and the normal individuals. Within each group Hb F level was higher in the female population compared to the age-matche d male groups. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05 ) in the sickle cell disease patients and beta-thalassemia major patie nts but not in the normal individuals. After the age of 30 years, the difference in the value of Hb F in the male and female population beco me more apparent (P < 0.05) in the sickle cell disease and beta-thalas saemia major patients. No statistically significant sex differences we re found in the G gamma/A gamma ratio in the patient groups, and the r ange of G gamma/A gamma ratio in the patients groups were similar to t hose in the control group. The results showed that age, sex and geneti c disorders of haemoglobin are factors that affect Hb F level and indi cate the possible involvement of an X-linked factor in control of Hb F production.