What is Mediterranean blood disease?

Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-me-uh) is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. Thalassemia can cause anemia, leaving you fatigued.

Is Alpha thalassemia common?

Alpha thalassemia is a fairly common blood disorder worldwide. Thousands of infants with Hb Bart syndrome and HbH disease are born each year, particularly in Southeast Asia. Alpha thalassemia also occurs frequently in people from Mediterranean countries, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Central Asia.

Where does thalassemia come from?

Thalassemia is an inherited (i.e., passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder caused when the body doesn’t make enough of a protein called hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells.

How thalassemia is inherited?

In general, thalassemia is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner; however, the inheritance can be quite complex as multiple genes can influence the production of hemoglobin. Most people affected by beta thalassemia have mutations in both copies of the HBB gene in each cell .

Is alpha thalassemia bad?

However, health problems caused by alpha thalassemia and its treatment are common and can be serious. Severe thalassemia (severe hemoglobin H or hydrops fetalis) can cause heart failure and death.

Is alpha thalassemia fatal?

Thalassemia major can be fatal. People with alpha thalassemia major die in infancy. People with beta thalassemia major require regular blood transfusions. There are other forms of thalassemia which are not as severe.

How long do thalassemia patients live?

“Most thalassaemia patients would live up to the age of 25 to 30 years. Improved facilities will help them live up to the age of 60,” said Dr Mamata Manglani, head of pediatrics, Sion hospital.

Can thalassemia patients marry?

Aim: With good care, patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major (TDTM) can reach older ages, marry and reproduce.

Can you live a normal life with thalassemia?

People who have mild or minor forms of thalassemia can typically lead normal lives. In severe cases, heart failure is a possibility. Other complications include liver disease, abnormal skeletal growth, and endocrine issues.

How long can a thalassemia patient live?

What is thalassemia in humans?

Thalassemia. Thalassemia is an inherited (i.e., passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder caused when the body doesn’t make enough of a protein called hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells. Thalassemia is a treatable disorder that can be well-managed with blood transfusions and chelation therapy.

What is a blood transfusion for thalassemia?

Blood transfusion involves injection of red blood cells through a vein to restore normal levels of healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin. Transfusions are repeated every 4 months in patients with moderate or severe thalassemias, and every 2 to 4 weeks in patients with beta thalassemia major.

What is Mediterranean anemia (thalassemia)?

What is Mediterranean Anemia (Thalassemia)? Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. The gene which causes thalassemia is passed from parent to child. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide thalassemia anemias are the most common form of inherited blood disorder.

How does thalassemia affect red blood cell count?

People with thalassemias have fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin than normal; those with alpha or beta thalassemia trait may have smaller-than-normal red blood cells. A reticulocyte count (a measure of young red blood cells) may indicate that your bone marrow is not producing an adequate number of red blood cells.