Health information
Thalassaemia cards, explained clearly.
The Maldives colour-card chart is a screening aid for reproductive genetic risk. It does not measure personal or relationship compatibility.
What the cards mean
A card records a screening category associated with alpha or beta thalassaemia, HbS, HbD, HbE, or a non-carrier result. Colour must always be read together with the category name.
Screening, not diagnosis
Confirm card results and family-planning advice with Maldivian Blood Services or a qualified genetic counsellor.
The seven cards
Pink
Beta-thalassaemia carrier
Grey
Alpha-zero carrier
Yellow
Alpha-plus carrier
Blue
HbS / sickle-cell carrier
Purple
HbD carrier
Green
HbE carrier
White
Non-carrier
Risk language
Lower genetic risk
A pairing with a non-carrier; no affected-child risk is identified by this chart.
No identified risk
A carrier combination the chart does not identify as producing an affected child.
At-risk pairing
The combination can result in an affected child. Genetic counselling is recommended.
Highest-risk pairing
The Grey–Grey combination carries a risk of hydrops fetalis. Genetic counselling is strongly recommended.
Compatibility chart
Genetic-risk combinations
| Your card ↓ / Other card → | Pink | Grey | Yellow | Blue | Purple | Green | White |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pink | At risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | At risk | No identified risk | At risk | Lower risk |
| Grey | No identified risk | Highest risk | At risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | Lower risk |
| Yellow | No identified risk | At risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | Lower risk |
| Blue | At risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | At risk | At risk | At risk | Lower risk |
| Purple | No identified risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | At risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | Lower risk |
| Green | At risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | At risk | No identified risk | No identified risk | Lower risk |
| White | Lower risk | Lower risk | Lower risk | Lower risk | Lower risk | Lower risk | Lower risk |
By card
Pink — Beta carrier
White is lower risk. Grey, Yellow and Purple have no identified affected-child risk in this chart. Pink, Blue and Green are at-risk pairings.
Grey — Alpha-zero carrier
White is lower risk. Yellow is at risk for HbH disease. Grey with Grey is the highest-risk pairing because of potential hydrops fetalis.
Yellow — Alpha-plus carrier
White is lower risk. Grey is an at-risk pairing because of potential HbH disease; the other listed carrier colours have no identified risk in this chart.
Blue — HbS carrier
White is lower risk. Grey and Yellow have no identified risk. Pink, Blue, Purple and Green are at-risk pairings.
Purple — HbD carrier
White is lower risk. Blue is an at-risk pairing; the other listed carrier colours have no identified risk in this chart.
Green — HbE carrier
White is lower risk. Pink and Blue are at-risk pairings; the other listed carrier colours have no identified risk in this chart.
White — Non-carrier
All listed colours are lower-risk pairings. A child may still inherit a carrier trait from a carrier parent.
Genetic counselling matters
A red result commonly represents a 25% affected-child probability per pregnancy when both relevant traits are inherited. The precise condition and severity depend on the combination and confirmed genotype.
Ruleset: MV_SHE_CARD_MATRIX_V1
Read the Maldives Ministry of Health guidelineThis matrix and page must be confirmed by Maldivian Blood Services or another qualified local authority before production launch.