Thalassemia - Symptoms Based on Types of Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a genetic (which is passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder. People with Thalassemia disease are not able to make enough hemoglobin, which causes severe anemia. Hemoglobin is found in red blood cells and carries oxygen to all parts of the body. When there is not enough hemoglobin in the red blood cells, oxygen cannot get to all parts of the body. Organs then become starved for oxygen and are unable to function properly.

Symptoms

The symptoms depend on the type of thalassemia:

• 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.

• 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. Hemoglobin H disease can cause:
  • jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
  • an extremely enlarged spleen
  • malnourishment

Hydrops fetalis is an extremely severe form of thalassemia. It occurs before birth. Most individuals with this condition are either stillborn or die shortly after being born.