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Can a mother with hemoglobin E trait affect her children?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

The last few days, my wife says that she feels sick. After that, I took my wife to the doctor. She suggested a few tests, including HB electrophoresis, ferritin, TSH, PPBS, USG lower abdomen, CBC, PBF, and urine test.

Here are the results:

  • Hb%: 10.2
  • Platelet: 266000
  • RBC: 4.28
  • WBC: 7300
  • MCV:74
  • HCT/PCV: 32%
  • TSH: 4.39.
  • Pus cell: 1-2
  • Epithelial cell: 1-3
  • PPBS: 5.9
  • USG: normal
  • S. ferritin: 10.98 ng/ml
  • HB electrophoresis: Hb A- 71.3, Hb E-25.3, HbA2 - 3.4

Doctor comments: Blood disorder, hemoglobin E trait.

Kindly explain the report. As far as I know, HbE trait patients generally have higher ferritin levels, but in my wife, they are lower than normal. I am afraid about my one-year-old baby boy, the next baby, and the next generation.

Please suggest.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The serum ferritin level is not high in every case of hemolytic anemia. Your electrophoresis report is suggestive of HbE (attachment removed to protect patient identity). It is a case of a mild form of hemolytic anemia. In that case, the ferritin level might not be raised.

Along with low ferritin, your red blood cell count is also low. Usually, in hemoglobinopathy, the red blood cell count is high. So your wife's complete diagnosis is HbE trait with secondary iron deficiency anemia. So you can give your wife Iron tablets to raise the hemoglobin and ferritin levels.

HbE is not a major hemolytic disease, so you need not worry about your child or future child, even if your child acquires the HbE trait. A HbE trait patient lives a normal life.

I strongly recommend that you get investigated for hemoglobinopathy by electrophoresis because if you have the trait, then your child can acquire HbE disease. So, revert back with your electrophoresis report as well.

I hope this will help you.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Divya Banu M
Published At September 4, 2019
Reviewed At May 13, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divya Banu M is a dedicated Dental Surgeon with valuable clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of various diseases and conditions affecting the oral cavity. With a gentle and patient-centered approach, she is committed to promoting oral health and enhancing smiles through quality dental care. Her areas of expertise include restorative dentistry, preventive dental care, and cosmetic dental procedures.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri is an experienced General Physician and Pathologist with extensive years of clinical expertise. He specializes in diagnosing and managing a wide range of medical conditions while providing holistic care to patients. As a Pathologist, he is skilled in performing and interpreting laboratory investigations that aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Dr. Rajendragiri is dedicated to delivering patient-focused care with a strong emphasis on preventive medicine and overall well-being.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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