Hemoglobin C disease is a condition found mostly in the African-American population. It is sometimes called "CC" disease. Hemoglobin is the major part of red blood cells--its function is to carry oxygen through the body. With this disease, the red blood cells contain an abnormal hemoglobin called hemoglobin C.
How Hemoglobin C Disease is Inherited
Hemoglobin C disease is a hereditary or genetic condition that occurs in one out of 5,000 to 10,000 African-American individuals. If a child has hemoglobin C disease, both parents have hemoglobin C trait. This trait occurs in 2-3% of all African-Americans. Hemoglobin C trait is harmless--you do not have the disease, you are just a carrier of hemoglobin C. When both parents have C trait, each baby has a 1 in 4 chance of inheriting hemoglobin C disease
What Type of Problems Can My Child Have?
Anemia. Individuals with hemoglobin C disease have a mild anemia or low blood count. This mild anemia usually does not cause any problems. Sometimes if your child has an infection, the blood count may be low due to destruction of the red blood cells. Your child's doctor can check to see if this is the case and prescribe treatment.
Gallstones. As children with this disease age, they may develop a condition where there are gallstones in the gallbladder. This is rare and can be diagnosed and treated by your child's doctor.
Most children with hemoglobin C disease are quite well. No therapy, treatments, or special precautions are necessary. Your child should live a normal and healthy life. Hemoglobin C is a lifelong condition and the most important thing is that you are aware of its existence in your child.
Hemoglobin C Beta-Thalassemia
The information on this page also applies to a very uncommon condition called hemoglobin C beta-thalassemia. This condition also can cause anemia, but again, it is mild and should cause no serious problems.
