The physiology and clinical significance of haptoglobin

A brief review of the biologic propertiesand functions of a plasma protein, haptoglobin, has been presented. The application of plasma haptoglobin determination to various clinical conditions has been discussed and some of the limitations of this laboratory technique were stressed. There is still much to be learned about the physiology of haptoglobin, especially in the neonatal period and in patients with inflammatory disease. With recognition of its limitations, the measurement of plasma haptoglobin levels can be a useful clinical tool.