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Family planning - please consider having a carrier test for genetic blood disorders
Around 1 in 20 people worldwide are thought to have inherited an altered globin gene, which they could pass on to their children. This may potentially result in a genetic blood disorder, affecting haemoglobin production. Haemoglobin is a protein in the blood that carries oxygen around our bodies. These inherited blood disorders are passed from parent to child in genes. If you are a carrier of an altered globin gene, your partner must have a blood test to determine his or her carrier status.
- Organisation:
- Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia (TASCA)
- Topic:
- Parenting, Children's health, Genes and genetics
- Target audience:
- General
- Service area:
- VIC
- Published:
- November 2023
- Last reviewed:
- April 2024