thalassemia

been searching and googling about the above. scary to think of it. my mom-in-law is thalassemia minor (carrier) and the chances of hunny to have it is 50-50. we went to our panel yesterday to check our blood but they said blood test is only done at day time. duh~ so hunny will go there again nxt monday. just to be sure that we both dont have it. or else, xtau la nk ckp ape. here is something you should know about thalassemia.

Thalassemia is an blood disorder passed down through families (inherited) in which the body makes an abnormal form of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. The disorder results in excessive destruction of red blood cells and anemia.

There are many forms of thalassemia. Each type has many different subtypes. Both alpha and beta thalassemia include the following two forms:

• Thalassemia major
• Thalassemia minor

You must inherit the defective gene from both parents to develop thalassemia major.

Thalassemia minor occurs if you receive the defective gene from only one parent. Persons with this form of the disorder are carriers of the disease and do not have symptoms.

The most severe form of alpha thalassemia major causes stillbirth (death of the unborn baby during birth of the late stages of pregnancy).

Children born with thalessemia major (Cooley's anemia)are normal at birth, but develop severe anemia during the first year of life.

Other symptoms can include:

• Bone deformities in the face
• Fatigue
• Growth failure
• Liver and spleen swelling
• Shortness of breath
• Yellow skin (jaundice)

Persons with the minors form of alpha and beta thalassemia have small red blood cells (that can be seen under a microscope), but no symptoms.

Treatment for thalassemia major often involves regular blood transfusions and folate supplements.

If you receive blood transfusions, you should not take iron supplements. Doing so can cause a high amount of iron to build up in the body, which can be harmful.

Persons who receive significant numbers of blood transfusions need a treatment called chelation therapy to remove iron from the body.

Bone marrow transplant may help treat the disease in some patients, especially children.

Severe thalassemia can cause early death due to heart failure a, usually between ages 20 and 30. Frequent blood transfusions with therapy to remove iron from the body helps improve the outcome.

Less severe forms of thalassemia usually do not result in a shorter life span.

hurm2... seyes juge. so have to make sure everything is ok. :-)