Investigation of microcytic anemia with normal ferrous status in two members (father and daughter) of a Swiss family originating from Bern revealed high levels of HbA2 (4%, 7.3%) and HbF (3.2%, 3.1%).
The only infant with the deletion of 3 alpha-globin structural genes had 25% Hb Bart's associated with a moderate microcytic anemia at birth and developed the clinical picture of Hb H disease.