Implications for a Child when One Partner carries Beta Thalassaemia and the Other carries Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Haemoglobin (HPFH)

There is no particular problem for this couple. This combination cannot cause an inherited anaemia in their children.

Partner who carries beta thalassaemia			Partner who carries HPFH

Not a carrier	Carrier of beta thalasaemia	Carrier of HPFH	Child with HPFH/beta thalassaemia

In each pregnancy, there are four possibilities:

The child may not carry any haemoglobin disorder.
The child may carry HPFH. This is harmless.
The child may carry beta thalassaemia. This is harmless.
The child may inherit HPFH from one parent and beta thalassaemia from the other. This is harmless.

This couple has the same chance of a healthy family as other couples do.

When the children grow up...

... they should have blood test to see if they have inherited beta thalassaemia or HPFH. If they have, their partner should have a test "for haemoglobin disorders". It is important to remember this for the future.