Hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin in northwest India.

1561 consecutive adult patients who were not suffering from any haematological or malignant disorder and 40 healthy volunteers were screened for hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin (HPFH). Two unrelated heterozygotes were detected. Both these heterozygotes displayed heterocellular distribution of foetal haemoglobin in 14-18% of red cells constituting 3.1-4.3% alkali resistant foetal haemoglobin. No case of pancellular variety of HPFH was detected. The heterocellular variety of HPFH is present in 1:800 individuals in Northwest India.