Hemoglobin Barts
Encyclopedia
Hemoglobin Barts consists of four gamma chains. It is moderately insoluble, and therefore accumulates in the red blood cells. It has an extremely high affinity for oxygen, resulting in almost no oxygen delivery to the tissues. It is produced in the disease alpha-thalassemia
Alpha-thalassemia
Alpha-thalassemia is a form of thalassemia involving the genes HBA1 and HBA2. Alpha-thalassemia is due to impaired production of 1,2,3, or 4 alpha globin chains, leading to a relative excess of beta globin chains...

 and in the most severe of cases, it is the only form of haemoglobin in circulation. In this situation, a fetus will develop hydrops fetalis
Hydrops fetalis
Hydrops fetalis is a condition in the fetus characterized by an accumulation of fluid, or edema, in at least two fetal compartments. By comparison, hydrops allantois or hydrops amnion are an accumulation of excessive fluid in the allantoic or amniotic space respectively.-Presentation:Locations can...

 and normally die before or shortly after birth, unless intrauterine blood transfusion
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...

 is performed.

Since Hemoglobin Barts is elevated in alpha thalassaemia, it can be measured, providing a useful screening test for this disease in some populations.

This variant of hemoglobin is so called as it was discovered at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London. The hospital has the fond sobriquet, St. Barts, and the hemoglobin was named hemoglobin Barts.
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