Hemoglobin F (HbF)
Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying substance in red blood cells. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the type of hemoglobin produced by a fetus's body.
At birth, babies typically have half fetal hemoglobin and half adult hemoglobin (HbA). After birth, HbF is gradually replaced by HbA.
Some people with sickle cell disease continue to produce some HbF, which helps protect them from more severe complications of the disease.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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