| foetal haemoglobin | <chemical> The form of haemoglobin normally comprising more than half of the haemoglobin in the foetus, composed of two alpha and two gamma polypeptides. It is also present in minimal amounts in adulthood and is abnormally elevated in aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, and certain types of thalassaemia. It has higher affinity for oxygen under physiologic conditions than does haemoglobin a. Chemical name: Haemoglobin F (12 Dec 1998) |
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| Lepore haemoglobin | <haematology> Variant haemoglobin in a rare form of thalassaemia: there is a composite _ _ chain as a result of an unequal crossing over event. The composite chain is functional but synthesised at reduced rate. (18 Nov 1997) |