hemoglobin E

Hemoglobin E is a variant form of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen. Hemoglobinopathies are disorders caused by variant hemoglobins, often found in regions where malaria is prevalent, as carrying some variant hemoglobins can offer protection against the disease.1

Hemoglobin E is widespread in Southeast Asia, particularly among Thai, Cambodian, Laotian, Malaysian, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Burmese populations. When inherited from both parents (Hemoglobin E disease), it can lead to a mild microcytic anemia (small red blood cell anemia). A more severe condition, Hemoglobin E-thalassemia disease, occurs when an individual inherits one gene for Hemoglobin E and one for thalassemia, closely resembling thalassemia major.1

Normal hemoglobin, known as Hb A, is composed of polypeptide chains and heme groups containing iron atoms that bind oxygen. Genetic mutations can alter the amino acid sequence of these chains, leading to abnormal hemoglobin variants like Hemoglobin E.2