Leg ulcers in alpha-thalassaemia (haemoglobin H disease)

A case of recurrent leg ulceration associated with alpha-thalassaemia (haemoglobin H disease) is reported. It is suggested that leg ulcers occurring in the thalassaemic syndromes may be due to structural changes in the affected red cells which result in increased cell rigidity, decreased deformability and consequent diminished blood flow in capillary beds that are subjected to venous stasis.