Hemoglobinopathies
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This reference extract addresses Hemoglobinopathy, a related subject. It does not cover every part of Hemoglobinopathies.. The article introduction is reproduced here, so you do not need to leave MedAtlas to read it. It may not match the latest official medical guidance.
Hemoglobinopathy is the medical term for a group of inherited blood disorders involving the hemoglobin, the major protein of red blood cells. They are generally single-gene disorders and, in most cases, they are inherited as autosomal recessive traits.
There are two main groups: abnormal structural hemoglobin variants caused by mutations in the hemoglobin genes, and the thalassemias, which are caused by an underproduction of otherwise normal hemoglobin molecules. The main structural hemoglobin variants are HbS, HbE and HbC. The main types of thalassemia are alpha-thalassemia and beta thalassemia.
How this connects to Clinical Haematology
Blood and marrow disorders involve cell production and survival, immune function or the regulation of clotting and bleeding. A blood count or isolated biomarker is not a diagnosis: peripheral smear findings, cell lineage, clinical history and relevant marrow or molecular tests may be necessary.
Text credit: Wikipedia contributors, “Hemoglobinopathy”, original article · authors & revision history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Unmodified opening extract, accessed 24 September 2026. This Wikipedia-derived section is provided under CC BY-SA 4.0; the independent MedAtlas notes and design are separate works.
Hemoglobinopathies · visual study map
Scalable vector illustration. Labeled conceptual map, not a precise anatomical, histological or diagnostic image.The wording in this learning map is adapted from the attributed Wikipedia background section below (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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