Skip to main content

Haemoglobinopathies

Person having blood drawn

What are Haemoglobinopathies?

  • haemoglobinopathies are genetic, inherited blood disorders. Some of which can be severe eg Sickle Cell, Thalassaemia Zero
  • Healthy Carrier States protect against Malaria
  • There are more than 1,000 carrier states
  • The vast majority are inherited recessively
  • The quality or quantity of Haemoglobin is affected

Who is affected?

Haemoglobinopathies are found mainly but not exclusively in people whose ancestry is:

  • African
  • Caribbean
  • Middle Eastern
  • Northern Greeks (Cyprus)
  • South Asian (Indian Pakistan and Bangladesh)
  • South East Asian (China and Far East)

At least 1:1000 people of North European Ancestry have haemoglobinopathy.

Patient Information

Information for Healthcare Professionals