title: gamma chain composition in five Italian newborns heterozygous for Hb F Malta G gamma-117 His leads to Arg.
abstract: The percentage of Hb F Malta G gamma-177 His replaced by Arg and the gamma chain composition have been evaluated at birth and at different times after birth in five Italian newborns heterozygous for this variant. The percentage of Hb F Malta ranged at birth from 24% to 31% of the total Hb F, while the average G gamma/A gamma chain ratio was about 7/3, overlapping the values observed in normal newborns. T gamma chains were detected in three out of five newborns, with a percentage of about 10% of the total Hb F. After birth the Hb F Malta declined faster than the total Hb F; thus, the Hb F decrease during the first 45 d of life is mainly due to the switch-off of the G gamma locus containing the Hb F Malta gene.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D005796:Genes; D006453:Hemoglobinopathies / Q000235:genetics*; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal / Q000032:analysis*; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008319:Malta
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D006455:Hemoglobins, Abnormal; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin