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Haemoglobin synthesis was studied in fetal blood samples obtained at 17 to 20 weeks' gestation in 22 women at risk of carrying a fetus with homozygous -thalassaemia. A presumptive diagnosis of homozygous -thalassaemia was made in four cases, and the pregnancy was terminated. An inconclusive answer was obtained in one case, and the patient also chose to have her pregnancy terminated. Two fetuses were lost as a result of the procedure. Of the remaining 15 pregnancies, 13 proceeded to term and, two to 36 weeks; in: each case a normal infant or one heterozygous for -thalassaemia was delivered.
Current efforts should be directed towards improving the blood sampling technology so that fetal blood sampling can be used widely technology so that fetal blood thalassaemia is a major problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on issues related to medical care in Great Britain. Use of modified gnotobiotic system to isolate patients with acute leukemia; Accommodation of patients in geriatric hospitals discharge from acute medical wards; Incidence of accidental paraquat poisoning.

Investigates the molecular basis of hemoglobin production for the causes for inherited diseases in Great Britain. Genetic disorders resulting from an abnormality in the structure of protein or enzyme; Need for the isolation of globin genes for analysis; Innovation in the field of human gene mapping.

A case of haemoglobin Bart's hydrops syndrome was characterised in a Greek family with a history of three other fetuses with hydrops. Family studies showed that both the mother and father carried α-thalassaemia genes, and globin-chain synthesis analysis of the present fetus showed a total absence of α-chain production. The haemoglobin composition of the fetus was similar to that seen in cases in south-east Asia, and analysis of DNA from the Greek case confirmed the total deletion of the α-chain genes. The extent of the deletion, however, differed from that seen in south-east Asian cases and included the loss of one of the embryonic ζ-chain genes. Thus the severe form of α-thalassaemia occurs in Greece but has arisen independently from, the similar condition in south-east Asia. The condition must be considered in any woman of this racial background who gives a history of unexplained stillbirths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]