Blue blood

  In a world of increasing immigration of a diverse range of nationalities, hereditary hemoglobin variants will be increasingly encountered, and should be considered in infants and children presenting with low saturations. We present a case report of an infant presenting with low oxygen saturations, who was extensively investigated before the correct diagnosis became apparent. Initial haemoglobin electrophoresis was normal, but subsequently abnormal on repeat testing. With further screening, a number of affected family members have since been identified.