What is the main cause of thalassemia?
What is the main cause of thalassemia?
What is the main cause of thalassemia?
Thalassemia is caused by mutations in the DNA of cells that make hemoglobin — the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. The mutations associated with thalassemia are passed from parents to children.
What happens during thalassemia?
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.
Who is affected by thalassemia?
Alpha thalassemias occur most often in people from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, China, and in those of African descent. Beta thalassemias occur most often in people of Mediterranean origin. To a lesser extent, Chinese, other Asians, and African Americans can be affected. There are many forms of thalassemia.
At what age is thalassemia detected?
Share on Pinterest Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. Most children with moderate to severe thalassemia receive a diagnosis by the time they are 2 years old. People with no symptoms may not realize that they are carriers until they have a child with thalassemia.
How do you fix thalassemia?
For moderate to severe thalassemia, treatments might include:
- Frequent blood transfusions. More severe forms of thalassemia often require frequent blood transfusions, possibly every few weeks.
- Chelation therapy. This is treatment to remove excess iron from your blood.
- Stem cell transplant.
What is the best treatment for thalassemia?
For moderate to severe thalassemia, treatments might include:
- Frequent blood transfusions. More severe forms of thalassemia often require frequent blood transfusions, possibly every few weeks.
- Chelation therapy. This is treatment to remove excess iron from your blood.
- Stem cell transplant.
Can you have a baby if you have thalassemia?
Women with thalassemia who require blood transfusions often have a higher rate of infertility. However, some women with the disease are able to become pregnant.
What should we eat in thalassemia?
Nutrition & Thalassemia It is recommended that patients going through blood transfusion should opt for a low iron diet. Avoiding iron-fortified foods like cereal, red meat, green leafy vegetables & Vitamin C-rich foods is the best option for thalassemic patients.
Can 2 people with thalassemia have a baby?
If two people who are carriers of the same type of thalassaemia have children, their children have a: 25 per cent risk of developing thalassaemia major because they inherited the thalassaemia gene from both parents.
Can I have children if I have thalassemia?
Thalassemia in pregnancy Women with thalassemia who require blood transfusions often have a higher rate of infertility. However, some women with the disease are able to become pregnant.