hemoglobin F

Hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin) is a variant of hemoglobin that is predominant in newborns and can persist in increased amounts in certain anemias, such as thalassemia. Hemoglobin is the protein in vertebrates responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. In adults, the primary form is hemoglobin A, composed of alpha and beta chains. Fetal hemoglobin, however, contains alpha and gamma chains. This difference allows fetal hemoglobin to bind oxygen more effectively in the low-oxygen environment of the placenta. While typically replaced by adult hemoglobin within the first seven months of life, elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin can be indicative of specific health conditions.123