Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder that causes haemoglobin deficiency and severe anemia, starving organs of oxygen, which inhibits their ability to function properly.

There are two types of thalassemia. They are thalassemia minor and thalassemia major.

  • Thalassemia major : A child born with thalassemia major has both genes for thalassemia from the mother and the father each. Thalassemia major is a serious disease.
  • Thalassemia minor (trait) : The individual with thalassemia minor has only one copy of the thalassemia gene and one perfectly normal gene. The defective gene is inherited either from the mother or the father.

If you and your partner both have thalassemia trait , for each pregnancy , there is a :

  • 25 percent chance that the child will have thalassemia major.
  • 25 percent chance that the child will have normal genes.
  • 50 percent chance that the child will have thalassemia minor.

thalassemia

thalassemia

  • It is believed that thalassemia originated in the Mediterranean belt and was brought to india from Greece, perhaps, by Alexander the Great and his men.
  • This blood disorder is mostly seen among Sindhis, Lohanas, Kathiawadis, Bhanushalis, Kutchis, Marwadies.
  • Thalassemia minor ( trait ) is not an illness. Thalassemia is not contagious.
  • A trait carrier of thalassemia will always be a trait carrier. The genetic trait is passed down from parents to children.
  • Being a carrier of thalassemia does not cause health problems that require medical treatment. Thalassemia trait will not impair your work , diet or exercise.
  • Thalassemia carriers have smaller red blood cells that may cause a mild anemia. The anemia is so mild that it does not require medical treatment.
  • Trait carriers do not need to take iron supplements unless a special blood test ( serum iron or serum ferritin ) confirms iron deficiency.

Family Planning

  • If you and your partner BOTH carry the trait for thalassemia (Thalassemia MINOR), your children could potentially be born with thalassemia MAJOR.
  • If EITHER you or your partner are thalassemia MINOR ( having one copy of thal gene) your child could inherit thalassemia MINOR.
  • Pregnant women who carry the thalassemia trait may be more likely to develop anemia during their pregnanc ies . It is important to discuss this condition with your doctor.

Yes , during pregnancy detection of fetus for Beta - Thalassemia is possible by chorionic villus sampling or amniotic fluid DNA study. This can be done at 10 wks. or 14 wks. of pregnancy respectively.

if you have not been tested or are unsure of your thalassemia status, it is best to get tested ! testing is easy and virtually painless and it is done routinely at our SAAVI Women’s Hospital.

  • All you need is a blood test that checks the following:
  1. CBC- Complete Blood Count
  2. Hemoglobin electrophoresis with quantitative hemoglobin A2 :Hb Electrophoresis.

Let’s know our thalassemia status & be a part of thalassemia ( Major ) free society drive.

At SAAVI we strive for good health of mother & baby, As a part of it. Let’s discuss an important blood disorder ( Thalassemia ).