Hemoglobin E - Hemoglobin E Disease (EE)

Hemoglobin E Disease (EE)

Hemoglobin E disease results when the offspring inherits the gene for HbE from both parents. At birth, babies homozygous for the hemoglobin E allele do not present symptoms due to HbF (fetal hemoglobin) they still have. In the first months of life, fetal hemoglobin disappears and the amount of hemoglobin E increases, so the subjects start to have a mild β thalassemia. People who are heterozygote for hemoglobin E (one normal allele and one abnormal allele) do not show any symptoms (there is usually no anemia or hemolysis). Subjects homozygous for the hemoglobin E allele (two abnormal alleles) have a mild hemolytic anemia and mild splenomegaly.