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The Pattern of Fetal Haemoglobin Disappearance after Birth
Author(s) -
Colombo B.,
Kim B.,
Atencio R. Perez,
Molina C.,
Terrenato L.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1976.tb01877.x
Subject(s) - fetus , full term , premature birth , medicine , pediatrics , obstetrics , pregnancy , gestational age , biology , genetics
S ummary . Haemoglobin F (Hb F) levels were determined in 209 full‐term newborn babies or infants of different ages ranging from birth to 11 months. A follow‐up study of the disappearance of Hb F after birth was carried out on 25 premature babies; they were followed periodically from birth until 8 months. The results obtained in both samples show that Hb F levels remain constant after birth for periods varying from about 15 d in at term babies to about 40 d in premature babies; a linear decrease follows in both cases. The initial plateau is a finding contrary to what has been reported. A possible model for the phenomenon is discussed in terms of haemoglobin genes and ontogenetic differentiation.