γ Chain Composition in Five Italian Newborns Heterozygous for Hb F MaltaGγ117 His → Arg

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Abstract
The percentage of Hb F Malta G.gamma.117His .fwdarw. Arg and the .gamma. chain composition were evaluated at birth and at different times after birth in 5 Italian newborns heterozygous for this variant. The percentage of Hb F Malta ranged at birth from 24-31% of the total Hb F, while the average G.gamma./A.gamma. chain ratio was about 7/3, overlapping the values observed in normal newborns. T.gamma. chains were detected in 3 of 5 newborns, with a percentage of about 10% of the total Hb F. After birth the Hb F Malta declined faster than the total Hb F. The Hb F decrease during the 1st 45 days of life is mainly due to the switch-off of the G.gamma. locus containing the Hb F Malta gene.