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HbS-B thalassemia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Thalassemia HbS-B is a hemoglobinopathy with symptoms similar to sickle cell anemia but less intense.
Because of the high frequency of HbS thalassemia and beta thalassemia in certain population groups, the congenital presence of both anomalies is quite common. Clinically, the disease manifests itself with symptoms of moderate anemia and features of sickle cell anemia, which are usually rarer and less intense. In blood smears, in most cases, there is a mild to moderate microcytic anemia with some sickle-shaped red blood cells. To establish the diagnosis, it is necessary to quantitatively determine the hemoglobin level, the HbA 2 level is > 3%. Electrophoresis reveals an increase in HbS and a decrease or absence of HbA, there may be an increase in HbF. Treatment, if necessary, is similar to that for sickle cell anemia.