A retinopathy in young patient with co-inheritance of heterozygous alpha + −thalassemia and sickle trait: a case report

BACKGROUND: The retinopathy is an uncommon complication in individuals with sickle cell trait except for the cases of sickle cell trait associated with systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, syphilis, tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A retinopathy in a 16 year-old child with no history of consanguinity in the parents revealed a sickle S trait associated to heterozygous alpha thalassemia. His mother has Sickle cell anaemia (Hb SS) and his father is a carrier of heterozygous alpha-thalassemia status that it was unknown before. CONCLUSION: This case report describes a proliferative retinopathy in a 16 year-old patient with co-inheritance of heterozygous alpha + -thalassemia and sickle trait.