title: Homozygous delta-beta Thalassemia in a Child: a Rare Cause of Elevated Fetal Hemoglobin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Delta beta (δβ) thalassemia is an unusual variant of thalassemia with elevated level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Homozygous patients of this disorder, unlike β-thalassemia, show mild anemia. Only few cases of δβ-thalassemia have been reported from India in the available indexed English literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A four-year old male child was evaluated for recent-onset jaundice. Hematological investigations showed mild anemia with microcytic hypochromic red cells. A comprehensive analysis of hemoglobin by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed complete absence of HbA and HbA2 with HbF constituting 100% of the hemoglobin. Hemoglobin analysis of both parents showed elevated level of HbF with normal HbA2. A final diagnosis of δβ-thalassemia in the child with both parents being carriers was rendered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delta beta-thalassemia is an uncommon cause of markedly elevated fetal hemoglobin beyond fetal period. Clinical and haematological parameters should be evaluated to render an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Senior Resident, Department of Pathology, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Delhi,India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Consultant Pathologist, Department of Pathology, Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital,India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhargava
authors.affiliation: Director & Senior Consultant, Department of Pediatrics, Pushpanjali Crosslay Hospital,India.
authors.forename: Sk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor and Head, Departments of Pathology, Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Delhi,India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Chromatography; Delta-Beta Thalassemia; High Pressure Liquid; Homozygote