α‐Thalassemia and β‐thalassemia in a turkish family

A Turkish family is described in which three children have a clinical picture similar to that of thalassemia major, with typical red cell morphology and indices, and with about 10% Hb Bart's but without measurable amounts of Hb H. Hematological evaluation of six members of this family that included in vitro hemoglobin synthesis suggests that β‐ (or δβ‐) thalassemia, β‐silent thalassemia, and mild and severe α‐thalassemia genes are present in different combinations. The data indicate that β/α chain ratios in patients with more than one type of thalassemia should be evaluated in relationship to values obtained for several relatives even though some of the thalassemia determinants may be silent in the parents.