Table 8.
Values of HbA2, HbF and some relevant erythrocyte indices in normal infants and in beta thalassemia carriers during the first year of life.
| Age | Subject | Number | HbA2 (%) | HbF (%) | Hb (g/dl) | MCV (fl) | MCH (pg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At birth | Normal β Thalassaemia |
16 31 |
0.4 (0.2) 0.5 (0.2) NS |
65.1 (7.5) 73.8 (10.1) p < 0.05 |
18.1 (2.3) 18.3 (2.3) NS |
101.3 (6.9) 98.5 (8.1) NS |
35.1 (3.5) 33.8 (2.6) NS |
| 3 months | Normal β Thalassaemia |
8 12 |
1.7 (0.3) 3.2 (0.7) p < 0.01 |
18.1 (3.6) 27.0 (10.5) p < 0.05 |
11.0 (0.7) 10.0 (1.1) NS |
82.5 (3.6) 69.9 (5.8) p < 0.001 |
27.9 (2.0) 22.8 (1.8) p < 0.001 |
| 6 months | Normal β Thalassaemia |
8 10 |
2.5 (0.3) 4.8 (0.7) p < 0.001 |
3.2 (1.1) 8.2 (4.0) p < 0.001 |
11.5 (0.8) 10.5 (0.8) p < 0.05 |
74.7 (2.9) 59.2 (3.5) p < 0.001 |
24.9 (1.4) 19.2 (1.2) p < 0.001 |
| 9–10 months | Normal β Thalassaemia |
6 14 |
2.5 (0.4) 5.1 (0.5) p < 0.001 |
2.6 (1.4) 4.4 (2.1) NS |
12.5 (1.0) 11.1 (0.9) p < 0.005 |
76.8 (5.2) 58.7 (1.6) p < 0.001 |
25.9 (1.7) 19.6 (0.9) p < 0.001 |
| 1 year | Normal β Thalassaemia |
5 8 |
2.5 (0.3) 4.8 (0.4) p < 0.001 |
1.4 (0.6) 4.1 (2.1) p < 0.02 |
12.3 (1.0) 11.2 (0.9) p < 0.005 |
74.6 (5.0) 57.5 (2.4) p < 0.001 |
24.8 (2.7) 18.7 (0.9) p < 0.001 |
Table adapted from [20]. Values are means (SD); the statistical significance between subjects was tested by one-tailed Student t test. Hb, haemoblobin; MCH mean cell haemoglobin, mean cell volume; NS not significant.