A blood disorder passed down through families in which the body makes and abnormal form of hemoglobin. This results in excessive destruction of red blood cells, which leads to anemia. Occurs when there is a defect in a gene that helps control production of one of these proteins (Alpha Globin an Beta Globin)
Symptoms
Bone deformities in the faceFatigueGrowth FailureShortness of breathYellow SkinSwollen SpleenExpectations
Early death due to heart failure, usually between ages 20 and 30.Frequent Blood transfusions with therapy to remove iron from the body help improve the outcome.Treatment
Blood TransfusionsFolate SupplementsChelation Therapy (remove excess iron)Bone Marrow TransplantsComplications (if left untreated)
Heart FailureLiver ProblemsLikely to develop infectionsFun Facts
Alpha Thalassemia occours mainly in people from South-East Asia, the Middle East, China and those of African descent.Beta occours commonly in people of Mediterranean origin and to a lesser extent, Chinese, other Asians and African Americans.
Posted Article in Food & Health