Gene Behind Childhood Anemias Found

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Both diseases result in anemia that can range from mild to life-threatening. Sickle cell disease can cause severe pain and eventual organ damage. Treating thalassemia requires frequent blood transfusions and then chelation therapy, which gets rid of excess iron that can lead to organ failure.

At birth, fetal hemoglobin makes up between 50 percent to 95 percent of a child's hemoglobin before switching to adult hemoglobin production. The fetal hemoglobin may be an adaptation to the low oxygen in the fetal environment. Fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen, allowing it to take oxygen more easily from the mother.

Dr. Cage S. Johnson, director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, agreed that this finding will lead to new therapies.

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"This research adds to our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying gamma-globin production," Johnson said. "Increased understanding of the genetic control of globin will provide the basis for gene therapy of these disorders. This research is another step in the process of developing gene therapy."

More information

For more on sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, go to the Children's Cancer & Blood Foundation.

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