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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
A Rapid and Chemical-free Hemoglobin Assay with Photothermal Angular Light Scattering
Published on: December 7, 2016
Hemoglobin Analysis in the First Year of Life
Peerapon Wong1, Jiranun Weerakul2, Suchila Sritippayawan3
1Thalassemia Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.
Insights
Hemoglobin (Hb) fractions change dynamically in infants. This study establishes normal Hb A, A2, and F values for newborns and infants up to one year, aiding thalassemia diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Hematology
Background:
- Hemoglobin (Hb) fractions undergo significant changes in newborns and infants.
- Establishing reference ranges for Hb fractions is crucial for diagnosing conditions like thalassemia in early life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normal reference values for hemoglobin fractions (Hb A, Hb A2, Hb F) in infants during their first year of life.
- To provide data for the phenotypic diagnosis of thalassemia in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Collected cord blood and blood samples from 137 infants aged 0-12 months.
- Excluded thalassemia carriers and samples with Hb < 10.0 g/dL.
- Quantified Hb A, A2, and F proportions using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Main Results:
- Hb A levels increased from 21.14% in cord blood to 83.38% by six months.
- Hb A2 levels showed a similar pattern, rising from 0.32% to 2.78% by six months.
- Hb F levels decreased significantly from 78.39% in cord blood within the first six months.
Conclusions:
- The study provides age-specific reference ranges for Hb fractions in infants.
- These data can serve as a guide for interpreting Hb analysis in newborns and infants for diagnostic purposes.
Background And Objectives:
In newborns and infants during their first year of life, there is a dynamic change in the fraction of hemoglobin (Hb). To apply Hb analysis as a phenotypic diagnosis of thalassemia in newborns and infants, we need normal values of each Hb fraction for reference.
Methods:
Seventeen cord bloods from normal deliveries were collected for analysis. One hundred and thirty-seven infants from the pediatric outpatient clinic were recruited and were categorized by their ages into a series of short periods (month±2 weeks). Both alpha and beta thalassemia carriers detected were excluded. Samples with an Hb level less than 10.0 g/dL were also excluded. The proportion of Hb A (α2β2), A2 (α2δ2), and F (α2γ2) was obtained from high-performance liquid chromatography and analyzed according to its categorized periods.
Results:
There were 90 (58.4%) specimens left for evaluation. The percentage of Hb A, A2, and F gradually changed with increasing age. The percentage of Hb A was 21.14±7.04% (mean±SD) in cord blood and increased substantially to 83.38±1.31% at the sixth month. The level was sustained thereafter. The incremental pattern of Hb A2 was similar to Hb A. The value was 0.32±0.19% at the beginning and reached a plateau with 2.78±0.25% at the sixth month. The percentage of Hb F started at 78.39±7.59% in cord blood and decreased rapidly in the first 6 months.
Conclusions:
The data possibly can be applied as quick guidance for interpretation of Hb analysis in newborns and infants during their first year of life.
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