What does beta thalassemia do?

Beta thalassemia is a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin . Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body. In people with beta thalassemia, low levels of hemoglobin lead to a lack of oxygen in many parts of the body.

What causes β thalassemia?

Beta thalassemia is caused by mutations in the hemoglobin beta (HBB) gene. Individuals with beta thalassemia minor have a mutation in one HBB gene, while individuals with the intermediate and major forms have mutations in both HBB genes.

How long do people with beta thalassemia live?

A person with the thalassemia trait has a normal life expectancy. However, heart complications arising from beta thalassemia major can make this condition fatal before the age of 30 years.

Does beta thalassemia go away?

Blood transfusions and chelation do not cure beta thalassemia. A stem cell transplant can cure it, but it is a serious procedure with many risks and won’t benefit everyone with the condition. Doctors and scientist are working on developing gene therapies and other treatments to help people with beta thalassemia.

Can thalassemia be cured?

Bone marrow and stem cell transplant from a compatible related donor is the only treatment that can cure thalassemia. It is the most effective treatment.

Who is at risk for beta thalassemia?

Beta thalassemia is most often found in people who are from Greek, Italian, African, or Asian origin. The diagnosis is most often made between 6 and 12 years old.

Is thalassemia a serious disease?

When left untreated, this condition can lead to problems in the liver, heart, and spleen. Infections and heart failure are the most common life-threatening complications of thalassemia in children. Like adults, children with severe thalassemia need frequent blood transfusions to get rid of excess iron in the body.

What are the two major types of thalassemia?

There are 2 main types of thalassemia: alpha and beta. Different genes are affected for each type.

Can thalassemia minor get married?

People suffering with Thalassemia can marry any other person of their choice and live a normal family life and yes, even have babies! A Thalassemia patient may have a good reproductive health if proper care is taken from the very beginning of the patient’s life.

How can thalassemia be prevented?

Diet for thalassemia However, you may need to limit iron-rich foods if you already have high iron levels in your blood. Fish and meats are rich in iron, so you may need to limit these in your diet. You may also consider avoiding fortified cereals, breads, and juices. They contain high iron levels, too.

Can thalassemia patient get married?

Aim: With good care, patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major (TDTM) can reach older ages, marry and reproduce.

Who is at risk for thalassemia?

People who have family members from certain parts of the world have a higher risk for having thalassemia. Traits for thalassemia are more common in people from Mediterranean countries, like Greece and Turkey, and in people from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

How does beta thalassemia affect the body?

Complications of beta thalassemia major include: Excess iron. Kids who have beta thalassemia can end up with too much iron in their bodies, either from the disease itself or from getting repeated blood transfusions. Excess iron can cause damage to the heart, liver, and endocrine system.

How long can you live with thalassemia?

How long do thalassemia patients live? A person with the thalassemia trait has a normal life expectancy. However, heart complications arising from beta thalassemia major can make this condition fatal before the age of 30 years.

What is the different between thalassemia and leukemia?

As nouns the difference between leukemia and thalassemia is that leukemia is leukemia (cancer of blood forming tissue) while thalassemia is (medicine) any of a group of inherited disorders in which the amount of hemoglobin in the blood is reduced.

Is there any treatment for beta thalassemia major?

Currently, the standard protocol for treatment of Beta-Thalassemia major is lifelong blood transfusions along with regular iron chelation therapy either through infusion or oral medications. Bone marrow transplant with a suitable match is the only available cure currently.