Thalassaemia : Introduction, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Management and Prevention - www.genericdrugscan.com

Thalassaemia : Information

It is a forms of inherited autosomal recessive blood disorder that originated in the Mediterranean region. In thalassemia, the disease is caused by the weakening and destruction of red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. People in thalassemia make less hemoglobin and fewer circulating red blood cells than normal, which results in mild or severe anemia
. Thalassemia will present as microcytic anemia which may be differentiated from iron deficiency anemia
.

Types of Thalassemia:

• Alpha Thalassemia The alpha chain is produced by four genes, two on each chromosome 16, and the severity of the condition depends on how many of those genes have been mutated.
• Beta Thalassemia Beta thalassemia can range from moderate to severe. The most severe form of the condition is known as beta thalassaemia major (BTM). People with BTM will require blood transfusions for the rest of their life.

References:
www.who.int
www.nlm.nih.gov
www.cdc.gov
www.nhs.uk
www.thalassemiaindia.org

Symptoms of thalassemia are the same as anemia which include:

• Growth delay and poor feeding
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• A yellow discoloration of the skin (jaundice)

Reference: www.nhs.uk

Both and thalassemias are often inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, although this is not always the case. For the autosomal recessive forms of the disease, both parents must be carriers in order for a child to be affected. If both parents carry a hemoglobinopathy trait, there is a 25% risk with each pregnancy
for an affected child. Genetic counseling and genetic testing is recommended for families that carry a thalassemia trait.

Reference: www.who.int

A physical exam may reveal a swollen (enlarged) spleen. Thalassaemia can be diagnosed using a blood test. A blood sample will be taken and sent to a laboratory for examination.

• Red blood cells will appear small and abnormally shaped when looked at under a microscope.
• A complete blood count (CBC) reveals anemia.
• A test called haemoglobin electrophoresis shows the presence of an abnormal form of haemoglobin.

Antenatal screening: The purpose of antenatal screening (screening that is carried out during pregnancy) is to check for inherited disorders such as sickle cell anemia and to provide parents with information they need to make informed decisions.

Reference: www.nlm.nih.gov

Treatment for thalassemia major is a lifelong process which requires different specialists to manage the complications of the condition.

Blood transfusions: The main treatment for thalassaemia involves regular blood transfusions to provide haemoglobin that the body needs. A bone marrow transplant may help to treat the disease in some patients, especially children.

References:
www.nlm.nih.gov
www.nhs.uk