Genetics of haemoglobin H

SummaryAdditional studies are reported on the first family reported with haemoglobin H disease. These include the finding of a second fast minor haemoglobin in two of the subjects with haemoglobin H. This component does not have the alkaline resistance or ultra‐violet spectrum of foetal haemoglobin and is slower than Bart's haemoglobin on electrophoresis at pH 8‐6; it is, therefore, not Bart's haemoglobin. Another sibling has been studied and has thalassaemia trait. The current literature and hypotheses to explain the inheritance of haemoglobin H disease are reviewed.