What is thalassemia? Symptoms of thalassemia? Please give all details of thalassemia disease?

Dr. Sajeev KumarGeneral Physician32yrs exp

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Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Anemia is a condition in which your body doesn?t have enough normal, healthy red blood cells. Thalassemia is inherited, meaning that at least one of your parents must be a carrier of the disease. It?s due to either a genetic mutation or a deletion of certain key gene fragments. The two main forms of thalassemia are alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia. In alpha-thalassemia, at least one of the alpha globin genes has a mutation or abnormality. In beta-thalassemia, the beta globin genes are affected. Each of these two forms of thalassemia has several distinct types. The exact form you have will affect the severity of your symptoms and prognosis.Your symptoms will depend on the type of thalassemia you have. Thalassemia Minor Thalassemia minor usually doesn?t cause any symptoms. If it does, it causes minor anemia. Beta-Thalassemia Beta-thalassemia comes in two serious types, which are thalassemia major, or Cooley?s anemia, and thalassemia intermedia. The symptoms of thalassemia major generally appear before a child?s second birthday. The severe anemia related to this condition can be life-threatening. Other signs and symptoms include: fussiness paleness frequent infections a poor appetite failure to thrive jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes enlarged organs This form of thalassemia is usually so severe that it requires regular blood transfusions. Thalassemia intermedia is a less severe form of beta-thalassemia. People with thalassemia intermedia don?t need blood transfusions. Alpha-Thalassemia Alpha-thalassemia also has two serious types, which are hemoglobin H disease and hydrops fetalis. Hemoglobin H disease can cause bone issues. The cheeks, forehead, and jaw may all overgrow. Additionally, hemoglobin H disease can cause: jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes an extremely enlarged spleen malnourishment 

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