Overview:
It is a genetic disorder of the blood in which abnormal Hemoglobin is made leading to a decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells. RBC (red blood cells) are destroyed at a faster rate leading to anemia and the need for repeated blood transfusion.
This inherited disorder is carried in genes and passed on from one generation to the next generation. People who are Carrier may have no disease but when both parents are carriers, it can pass on to children.
2 types of Thalassemias are there: Alpha and Beta.
We will discuss beta-thalassemia in detail.
There are 3 types of beta-thalassemia.
- Beta thalassemia minor, or beta thalassemia trait, happens when one of the beta-globin genes is mutated. The milder form, usually needing no treatment