Cord blood survey for haemoglobin Barts

Haemoglobin electrophoresis of 50 cord bloods from neonates from the Papuan Gulf area showed 36% to have an abnormal band with the characteristic mobility of haemoglobin Barts. "Inclusion" bodies of haemoglobin H were found in the red cells of some of the mothers of these infants. These findings indicate a high incidence of alpha thalassaemia syndrome in this population.