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What happens if two parents have thalassemia?
Thalassemias are inherited conditions — they’re carried in the genes and passed on from parents to children. People who are carriers of a thalassemia gene show no thalassemia symptoms and might not know they’re carriers. If both parents are carriers, they can pass the disease to their kids.
What is the inheritance pattern of thalassemia?
Thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern , which means both copies of the HBB gene in each cell have mutations.
What chromosome is thalassemia found on?
Thalassemia is an inherited autosomal recessive disease resulting from mutations in the α- and β-globin gene clusters on chromosome 16 and chromosome 11, respectively. It is characterized by the absence or reduced synthesis of globin chains of hemoglobin and includes two main types, α- and β- thalassemia (1, 2).
How does thalassemia affect a child?
Thalassemia causes the body to not make enough hemoglobin, leading to anemia that causes pallor, fatigue and stunted growth. In it’s most severe forms, thalassemia can cause bone pain, skeletal deformities and a swollen abdomen.
Can a couple with thalassemia have kids?
50\% chance of having a child with thalassemia minor. 50\% chance of having a normal child None of the couple’s children will get thalassemia major.
Can two people who have thalassemia have children?
If both parents have beta thalassemia trait, there is a 25 percent (1 in 4) chance with each pregnancy of having a child with beta thalassemia disease. Beta thalassemia disease is a lifelong illness with serious health problems. The only way to know if you have beta thalassemia trait is to have a simple blood test.
Is thalassemia genetic or environmental?
Thalassemia is a general term for a group of congenital, genetic disorders characterized by low levels of hemoglobin, decreased red blood cell production, and anemia. There are two main forms – alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia – each with various subtypes.
What is Thalassaemia minor?
Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-me-uh) is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. Thalassemia can cause anemia, leaving you fatigued. If you have mild thalassemia, you might not need treatment.
What is minor thalassemia?
Overview. Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-me-uh) is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. Thalassemia can cause anemia, leaving you fatigued. If you have mild thalassemia, you might not need treatment.
How is thalassemia detected in children?
Thalassemia is diagnosed using blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) and specific hemoglobin tests. People who have alpha or beta thalassemia trait may have smaller than normal red blood cells. Moderate and severe thalassemia is usually diagnosed in early childhood within the first two years of life.