Ordering Recommendation

Use to assess for gamma globin gene variants resulting in neonatal hemolytic anemia, cyanosis or methemoglobinemia in symptomatic infants when other etiologies have been excluded. Use to assess for nondeletional hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) in individuals with elevated fetal hemoglobin. Characterizes abnormal hemoglobins identified by electrophoresis suspected to represent gamma chain variants.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Lavender (K2EDTA), Pink (K2EDTA), or Yellow (ACD Solution A or B).

Specimen Preparation

Transport 3 mL whole blood. (Min: 1 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

N/A

Remarks

N/A

Stability

Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 1 month; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Polymerase Chain Reaction/Sequencing

Performed

Varies

Reported

14-21 days

Reference Interval

By report

Interpretive Data

Background information for Gamma Globin (HBG1 and HBG2) Sequencing:
Characteristics:
Variants in the gamma globin genes, HBG1 and HBG2, may occasionally result in either a quantitative defect (gamma thalassemia or nondeletional hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin) or a qualitative abnormality (gamma variant). Gamma variants resulting in unstable, high- and low-oxygen affinity or M hemoglobin variants may result in hemolytic anemia/hyperbilirubinemia, erythrocytosis/cyanosis, or methemoglobinemia in neonates, respectively. Clinical symptoms related to gamma globin variants commonly resolve after the first six months of life given the switch from fetal hemoglobin expression to adult hemoglobin expression.
Incidence:
Unknown.
Inheritance:
Autosomal dominant.
Cause:
Pathogenic germline variants in HBG1 or HBG2.
Clinical Sensitivity: Unknown. Gamma globin variants are a rare cause of neonatal hemolytic anemia, cyanosis, erythrocytosis, or methemoglobinemia.
Methodology:
Long range PCR followed by nested PCR and bidirectional sequencing of all coding regions, intron-exon boundaries, and 5' proximal promoters of the HBG1 and HBG2 genes.
Analytical Sensitivity and Specificity:
99 percent.
Limitations:
Diagnostic errors can occur due to rare sequence variations or repeat element insertions. Large deletions/duplications, distal regulatory region variants, deep intronic variants, and hybrid gene events will not be detected.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

Counseling and informed consent are recommended for genetic testing. Consent forms are available online.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

81479

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
3002038 Specimen HBG FGS 31208-2
3002039 HBG FGS Interpretation 53037-8
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

Gamma Globin (HBG1 and HBG2) Sequencing