The types of hemoglobins and globin chains in hydrops fetalis.

Details are presented of analyses of hemoglobins in blood samples from four newborn babies with hydrops fetalis using reversed phase and anion exchange high performance liquid chromatographic methodology. Three were homozygous for the alpha-thalassemia-1 (SEA) deletion, and one was a compound heterozygote for the same deletion and the larger alpha-thalassemia-1 (Fil) deletion. All four babies had beta, G gamma, A gamma, and zeta chains; these chains were present in Hb Bart's or gamma 4, Hb Portland-I (zeta 2 gamma 2), and Hb Portland-II (zeta 2 beta 2). Hb H (beta 4) could not be detected. The level of zeta was directly related to the level of beta and, thus, the fetal age. A lower level of zeta chain was present in the baby with the compound heterozygosity because the large deletion (Fil) on one chromosome included the zeta and psi zeta genes. Circulating red cells, i.e. reticulocytes and nucleated red cells, were unable to synthesize zeta chains, indicating that this capability must have ceased a few months prior to birth. Quantitative data obtained by chromatographic procedures were greatly influenced by the condition of the blood sample and the way it was stored. Hb Portland-II (zeta 2 beta 2) and Hb Bart's (gamma 4) are rather unstable when a red cell lysate is stored at 4 degrees C; this is in contrast to Hb Portland-I (zeta 2 gamma 2) which appears to be stable. Samples can be stored as washed red cells or red cell lysates at -70 degrees C.