Hemoglobin Synthesis Dynamics In Inhabitants: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis commences around the sixth week of gestation, sustaining high levels until the infant reaches two to four months of age. During the initial year of life, HbF levels precipitously decline, making way for the adult forms of hemoglobin. However, certain medical conditions, such as beta-thalassemia, can disrupt the normal transition to adult hemoglobin, leading to elevated HbF levels beyond infancy. Additionally, therapeutic interventions targeting HbF synthesis have been employed in the supervision of sickle cell anemia. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of data from 1,176 patients who underwent HbF analysis between 2018 and 2020 at the Medical Laboratory of Al Kharj Military Industries Corporation Hospital. Most patients exhibited healthy HbF levels. Among the patients, 85% demonstrated normal HbF levels relative to their ages and genders. Notably, 14% of patients exhibited HbF disturbances, with a higher incidence among females is 66%, aged 30 to 50 (56%) compared to males 34% and observed in age groups between 0 to 15 years. A limited subset of cases showed elevated levels of both HbF and adult hemoglobin (HbA). Furthermore, within the cohort exhibiting HbF disturbances, 64.5% demonstrated concurrent high HbF and the presence of hemoglobin S (HbS), in women (72%) it is more prevalent than in men (28%). In the pediatric population, 16 cases displayed elevated levels of both HbF and HbS, while 44 cases exhibited high HbF levels alone. Among one-year-old infants, HbF levels ranged from 0 to 2 percent in six cases, while 17 infants exhibited elevated HbF levels ranging from 3 to 36 percent. In conclusion, this study underscores the temporal dynamics of HbF levels during normal pregnancy and the first year of life, noting a significant increase in HbF levels that subsequently decline