Hemoglobin E trait
means that your child has inherited one gene for
the usual hemoglobin (A) from one parent and one gene for hemoglobin
E from the other parent. Hemoglobin E trait is not a disease and
does not cause any serious health problems
Why was my child tested for hemoglobin E?
Hemoglobin is the part of blood that carries oxygen to all parts of the
body. The usual type of hemoglobin is called hemoglobin A. Genes
that we inherit from our parents determine what type of hemoglobin
we have.
What do I do now?
What is hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia?
If hemoglobin E trait and homozygous hemoglobin E
do not cause any health problems, why do I need
to know that my child has it?
Hemoglobin E trait means that your child has inherited one gene for
the usual hemoglobin (A) from one parent and one gene for hemoglobin
E from the other parent. Hemoglobin E trait is not a disease and
does not cause any serious health problems.
The Newborn Screening Program screens all infants born in
Washington State for certain disorders, including hemoglobin
disorders. A small amount of blood was collected from your infant’s
heel and sent to the State Laboratory for testing. Other abnormal
hemoglobin types are also detected.
It is important to know about your child's hemoglobin E status because
future children in your family, or other family members, may be at
risk for having hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia, a serious disease
described on the next page. People with hemoglobin E trait or
homozygous hemoglobin E can pass the gene to their children.
Your child does not have hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia, but future
children and other family members may be at risk for having it. When
a person has hemoglobin E-beta thalassemia, they inherit one gene
for hemoglobin E from one parent and one gene for "beta thalassemia"
(low production of hemoglobin) from the other parent. These two
genes together cause a life-threatening disease with no known
universal cure. There are some therapies, like blood transfustions,
that are necessary to help prevent complications, but hemoglobin Ebeta
thalassemia is a serious life-long disease requiring medical care.
We recommend that you and your partner have testing to determine
your hemoglobin status. This would provide you with information on
your chances of having a future child with hemoglobin E-beta
thalassemia. To have this testing done, talk to your health care provider
or one of the genetic counselors listed on the back of this pamphlet.
You may also want to share this information with the rest of your
family. They may be interested in finding out their hemoglobin status
as well.