Severe fetal and neonatal hemolytic anemia due to a 198 kb deletion removing the complete β-globin gene cluster

Fetal and neonatal hemolytic anemia can be caused by (?d beta)0-thalassemia deletions of the beta-globin gene cluster. Many of these deletions have not been well characterized, and diagnostic tests are not readily available, thus hampering carrier detection, family counseling, and antenatal diagnosis. We report and define a 198?kb deletion removing the entire beta-globin gene cluster, which was found in members of a multigeneration family of Irish/Scottish descent. The proband had life-threatening fetal and neonatal hemolytic anemia which subsided by 1 year of age. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 941944. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.