Haemoglobinopathies: a review

The inherited disorders of the haemoglobin molecule are commonly known as haemoglobinopathies. Since the discovery of sickle cell haemoglobin in 1959, almost 500 human haemoglobin variants mostly rare, have been reported; about one-third manifest their presence by clinical syndromes due to alteration in the function, solubility or stability of the haemoglobin module. The range of abnormal haemoglobins and their prevalence in the Middle East remains to be determined and this concise review presents current information on haemoglobinopathies