Hemoglobin E Disease

By Evan M. Braunstein, MD, PhD, Instructor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

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Anemias Caused by Hemolysis
Overview of Hemolytic Anemia
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Embden-Meyerhof Pathway Defects
Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency
Hemoglobin C Disease
Hemoglobin E Disease
Hemoglobin S-C Disease
Hemoglobin S–Beta-Thalassemia Disease
Hereditary Spherocytosis and Hereditary Elliptocytosis
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Sickle Cell Disease
Stomatocytosis and Anemia Caused by Hypophosphatemia
Thalassemias
Traumatic Hemolytic Anemia

Homozygous Hb E disease (a hemoglobinopathy) causes a mild hemolytic anemia, usually without splenomegaly.

Hb E is the 3rd most prevalent Hb worldwide (after Hb A and Hb S), primarily in Southeast Asian (> 15% incidence of homozygous disease) populations, although rarely in Chinese populations. Heterozygotes (Hb AE) are asymptomatic. Patients heterozygous for Hb E and beta-thalassemia have a hemolytic disease more severe than S-thalassemia or homozygous Hb E disease and usually have splenomegaly.

In heterozygotes (Hb AE), a microcytosis is present without anemia, and target cells can be seen on peripheral blood smear. In homozygotes, a mild microcytic anemia with prominent target cells exists.

Diagnosis of Hb E disorders is by Hb electrophoresis.

Most patients do not require treatment. However, patients with severe disease may benefit from chronic transfusions or splenectomy.

Last full review/revision January 2017 by Evan M. Braunstein, MD, PhD