Characterization of Two Novel Deletions Involving the 5′ Region of the β-Globin Gene

We report two novel β-thalassemia (β-thal) deletions involving the 5' region of the β-globin gene (HBB). The first deletion spans 538 bp and removes the β-globin promoter, 5' untranslated region (5'UTR) and most of exon 1. This deletion was identified in a 3-year-old Vietnamese boy with non transfusion dependent Hb E (HBB: c.79G>A)/β⁰-thal. The second deletion spans 1517 bp and removes the β-globin gene promoter, 5'UTR, and exons 1 and 2. This …