A 15-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis and pneumonia was admitted to the hospital with poor pulmonary function and decreased consciousness; an infusion of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) was suggested due to its higher oxygen affinity compared to adult hemoglobin. The document asks whether HbF therapy would be successful for this patient based on its different oxygen binding kinetics from adult hemoglobin and inability to interact with 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate.

1. Based on this information, and the
binding kinetics illustrated in this
chart , would the use of HbF as a
potential therapy in this patient be
successful?
Case 3: A 15-year old girl with cystic fibrosis is rushed to the hospital for an acute respiratory
infection and suspected pneumonia. The admission chest x -ray showed extensive bronchiectasis
and persistent complete atelectasis in the lower left lobe. Despite aggressive therapy including IV
antibiotics, the patient's pulmonary function remained poor and level of consciousness was
diminished with no verbal responses but eyes open to voice. Sputum samples were collected via
airway suctioning, arterial blood gasses were draw and pH was determined to be 7.32 (normal
pH: 7.4 ). As a radical therapy for this patient an infusion of fetal hemoglobin is suggested to
potentially increase oxygen perfusion. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has different oxygen binding
kinetics when compared to the oxygen binding displayed by adult hemoglobin (illustrated
below). This difference is in part due to the inability of HbF to interact with 2,3
bisphosphoglycerate ( 2 , 3 BPG ) . Based on this information would the use of HbF as a
potential therapy in this patient be successful?