Thalassemia

Definition of thalassemia & what is thalassemia?

Thalassemia consists of a group of inherited diseases of the blood. About 100,000 babies worldwide are born with severe forms of the thalassemia disease each year. Thalassemia occurs most frequently in people of Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Southern Asian and African ancestry.

What are the different kinds of Thalassemia?

Types of thalassemia

Thalassemia includes a number of different forms of anemia (red blood cell deficiency). The two main types of thalassemias are called alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. The type of thalassemia depends on which part of an oxygen-carrying protein (called hemoglobin) is lacking in the red blood cells.

About alpha thalassemia

The most severe form of alpha thalassemia results in fetal or newborn death. Alpha thalassemia affects mainly individuals of Southeast Asian, Chinese and Filipino ancestry, Most individuals with alpha thalassemia have milder forms of the disease, with varying degrees of anemia.

About beta thalassemia

Beta thalassemia effects range from very severe to having no effect on health.

About Thalassemia major

Thalassemia major is the most severe form of thalassemia. Thalassemia major is also called Cooley's anemia. Thalassemia major or Cooley's anemia is named after the doctor who first described this form of thalassemia in 1925.

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