Whole blood oxygen affinities of women with various hemoglobinopathies

The oxygen affinities of whole blood containing different abnormal hemoglobins are described. The hemoglobins are S and A and Zürich and A. The oxygen affinity of whole blood containing hemoglobins Zürich and A is higher than that for normal adult whole blood at the same pH and percentage oxygen saturation. The assumption that separation between the oxygen dissociation curves of maternal and fetal blood is a prerequisite for oxygenation in utero is not substantiated when the results are reviewed in conjunction with the reproductive histories of this patient.