Thalassemia

Today is World Thallesimia Day.. a genetic blood disorder. I have a minor version of it but there people out there who has the major and they have to go for blood transfusions. Being someone who can relate to the effects of thallesiamia and having been diagnosed with i thought id put a link here so people can know about it .... and its world world thallesimia day it would seem appropriate ...

Definition:
Thalassemias are hereditary disorders characterized by defective production of hemoglobin. This leads to low production, and over destruction, of red blood cells.

Alternative Names:
Thalassemia; Mediterranean anemia; Cooley's anemia
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Hemoglobin contains two chains, alpha and beta globin. Genetic defects can be inherited that cause imbalances in the production of either chain.

Beta thalassemias are caused by a mutation in the beta globin chain. Genes must be inherited from both parents to acquire the major form of the disease. If one gene is inherited, the person will be a carrier of the disease, but will not have symptoms. (This is the minor form.)

In the major form, children are normal at birth, but develop anemia during the first year of life. Growth failure, bone deformities, and enlarged liver and spleen are some of the problems that can occur. Blood transfusions may modify some of the disease manifestation, but iron overload from the transfusions can cause damage to the heart, liver, and endocrine systems.

The mild form of beta thalassemia produces small red blood cells, with no symptoms. Risk factors include a family history of thalassemia and an ethnic background susceptible to the disease.

Beta thalassemias occur in people of Mediterranean origin, and to a lesser extent, Chinese, other Asians, and blacks

Alpha thalassemias occur most commonly in people from southeast Asia and China, and are caused by deletion of a gene or genes from the globin chain. The most severe form of alpha thalassemia causes a stillborn fetus.


Thalassemia minor

Thalassemia major