Authors: Viprakasit, Vip; Veerakul, Gavivann; Sanpakit, Kleebsabai; Pongtanakul, Bunchoo; Chinchang, Worrawut; Tanphaichitr, Voravarn S.

Source: Annals of Tropical Paediatrics: International Child Health, Volume 24, Number 4, December 2004 , pp. 323-328(6)

Publisher: Maney Publishing

Abstract:

Acute haemolysis associated with mild upper respiratory tract infection was observed in a Thai boy who presented with a rapid decline in haemoglobin (Hb) levels, haemoglobinuria and evidence of intravascular haemolysis. Several possible causes giving rise to such a condition were excluded including G6PD deficiency, which is extremely common in Thailand. Subsequent haematological and molecular analyses demonstrated that the patient was homozygous for Hb Constant Spring (Hb CS/CS), an a globin haemoglobinopathy. It has been shown previously that patients with homozygous Hb CS had mild haemolytic anaemia secondary to an accumulation of a CS chains, which are toxic to red blood cell membrane cytoskeletons. Increased body temperature might induce more precipitation of this a globin variant. This report highlights the importance of Hb CS/CS as a potential predisposing cause of acute haemolysis in children that might be aggravated by acute bacterial or viral infections. This is particularly relevant for patients of Southeast Asian descent where this abnormal haemoglobin is highly prevalent.

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1179/027249304225019145

Affiliations: Department of Paediatrics and Siriraj Thalassaemia Research Programme, WHO Collaborating Centre for the Control of Haemoglobinopathies, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Publication date: 2004-12-01

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• In 2012 Annals of Tropical Paediatrics changed its name to Paediatrics and International Child Health to reflect changes and developments in the subject area. View the issues of Paediatrics and International Child Health available online.
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