Thalassemia - A glance

What is Thalassemia?

Thalassemia is a haemoglobin chain abnormality in which the red blood cells do not form properly and cannot carry sufficient oxygen. This condition begins during childhood and lasts throughout life. It is the most commonly inherited single gene disorder in the world. In this disease, lack of blood (anaemia) and retarded growth, decrease the survival possibilities of the patient. The patient needs frequent blood transfusion and costly treatment to avoid the side-effects of loaded iron in the body. Thalassemia major, which was considered a fatal disease, can now be treated by regular blood transfusions and iron chelation. Many patients with this disease are now living in the fourth decade of life, also married and having children.

How to prevent thalassemia?

The burden of this disease can by reduced by avoiding the birth of affected children. Currently, this can be achieved by antenatal diagnosis.

Before Marriage: Get the blood tested for diagnosing the disease/trait. If you are suffering from the trait and not married yet then avoid marrying a person with the trait.

After marriage: If both husband and wife do have thalassemia trait, then chances of baby having thalassemia might be 25%. So get the pregnancy tested for the disease in early pregnancy to decide whether to carry on with the pregnancy.