Variations in both α-spectrin (SPTA1) and β-spectrin ( SPTB ) in a neonate with prolonged jaundice in a family where nine individuals had hereditary elliptocytosis.

We cared for a neonate who had problematic hyperbilirubinemia born into a family where nine first-degree relatives had hereditary elliptocytosis (HE). As neonates, the nine relatives did not have any significant jaundice or anemia that was recognizable. Blood films on the proband suggested a diagnosis of pyropoikilocytosis. Analysis of the α-spectrin gene (SPTA1) in the proband revealed two previously reported low-frequency heterozygous polymorphisms of unknown clinical significance and the α(LELY) allele. In addition, a novel heterozygous mutation was identified in exon 2 of the β-spectrin gene SPTB. No mutations were identified in ANK1 (ankyrin-1), SLC4A1 (band 3), EPB41 (band 4.1), or EPB42 (band 4.2).