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Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is composed of two alpha and two gamma chains, making it structurally different from adult hemoglobin (HbA), which contains two beta chains. Sickle cell disease is caused by a mutation in the beta-globin gene, leading to the production of abnormal adult hemoglobin (HbS) that can polymerize under low oxygen conditions, causing red blood cells to sickle. Since HbF does not contain beta chains, it is not affected by the sickling mechanism of HbS, allowing individuals with higher levels of HbF to exhibit milder symptoms of sickle cell disease. This protective effect is why therapies aiming to increase HbF levels are being explored for sickle cell patients.

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1w ago

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How is sickle cell hemoglobin different from normal hemoglobin?

The difference is that a patient with sickle cell disease has an increased level of one specific type of Hemoglobin, that is Fetal hemoglobin or HbF. However, the amount of total hemoglobin is the same.


What age is sickle-cell anemia onset?

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic problem so you are born with it. Initially babies make a different kind of hemoglobin (fetal hemoglobin) and so do not have problems right away. Usually by 6-12 month s of age they are making the sickle hemoglobin and can start to have problems.


What is the result of change in amino acid in hemoglobin?

Of course, there can be many outcomes from no problems to sickle cell disease to fetal death. Some mutations really cause no problems, some can cause a disease and some are so damaging it can cause the death of the unborn child.


What is Fetal hemoglobin?

Fetal hemoglobin has a pair of gamma-globin molecules in place of the typical beta-globins of adult hemoglobin


What is the purpose of fetal hemoglobin test?

Fetal hemoglobin (Hemoglobin F), Alkali-resistant hemoglobin, HBF (or Hb F), is the major hemoglobin component in the bloodstream of the fetus. After birth, it decreases rapidly until only traces are found in normal.


What characteristics does an abnormal fetal hemoglobin test have?

Greater than 2% of total hemoglobin is abnormal.


What does the medical abbreviation hb solu plus rflx frac mean?

This is a type of solubility testing for sickle cell disease. It is very specific for this disease and several combinations sickle cell / thalassemia variants but inadequate for screening and fail to identify important transmissible hemoglobin gene abnormalities - particularly in the prenatal setting when looking for those that affect fetal outcome (eg, Hb C trait, β-thalassemia trait, Hb E trait, Hb B trait, Hb D trait).


Fetal hemoglobin or hemoglobin F does not bind oxygen as well as adult hemoglobin hemoglobin A?

FalseAdult hemoglobin has less affinity for oxygen than fetal hemogloblin. That is why, as an adult female's blood passes BY the placenta, the oxygen diffusses into the fetal blood. Likewise, adult blood, having explelled the carbon dioxide during exhalation, has less concentration of carbon-dioxide than the fetal blood, so it diffuses out of fetal blood into the adult blood. That way, the fetus doesn't need respiration as an oxygen source, nor as a way to rid of waste and carbon dioxide.


Which hemaglobins not found in adult blood?

Hemoglobin F, also known as fetal hemoglobin is not found in adult blood.


Why does fetal haemoglobin pick up oxygen at the placenta at partial pressure which causes maternal haemoglobin to release oxygen?

Fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen compared to maternal hemoglobin. This means that at the lower oxygen partial pressures found in the placenta, fetal hemoglobin will bind more oxygen, causing maternal hemoglobin to release its oxygen. This mechanism ensures efficient transfer of oxygen from the mother to the fetus.


What evaluation is used to diagnose fetal fifth disease?

Ultrasound is used to diagnose fetal fifth disease.


Why is it advantage that fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen than maternal hemoglobin?

adult Hb ha 2-alpha+2delta structure while fetal has 2-alpha+2-gamma. and this renders it more interactive towards oxygen, hence fetal hb has more affinity for oxygen as compared to adult hemoglobin.