Inheriting Thalassaemia
Alpha thal carrier & non carrier
If a couple are tested and only one partner proves to be a carrier then there is no danger to their children. In each pregnancy there is a 1 in 2 chance that the child will carry alpha zero thalassaemia.
Alpha thal carrier & alpha thal carrier
If both partners are carriers then there is a 1 in 4 chance of each pregnancy to produce a child with Alpha Zero thalassaemia major.This is a very serious anaemia that develops in the unborn baby and it can only happen when both parents carry alpha zero thalassaemia.
Genetic counselling is suggested to discuss the several options open for having a healthy family. If after full discussion the couple decide to undertake a pregnancy, the mother can be offered pre-natal testing for the disorder.
NHS Screening for thalassaemia
If you’re a carrier of the thalassaemia gene, you can pass this health condition on to your baby.
All pregnant women in England are offered a blood test to find out if they carry a gene for thalassaemia. If the mother is found to be a carrier, screening is also offered to the father.
This test should be offered before you’re 10 weeks pregnant. It’s important the test is done early.
If you find out you’re a carrier, you and your partner will have the option of further tests to know if your baby will be affected.
Beta thal carrier & beta thal carrier
If a couple are tested and one partner proves to be a carrier then there is no danger to their children (same as Fig 1). If both partners are carriers there is a 25% chance of each pregnancy to produce a child with beta thalassaemia major.
Genetic counselling is suggested to discuss the several options open for having a healthy family. If after full discussion the couple decide to undertake a pregnancy, the mother can be offered pre-natal testing for the disorder.
