What is thalassemia?

Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Thalassemia, also known as hemoglobin synthesis disorder anemia, refers to a group of hemolytic diseases caused by abnormal hemoglobin genes resulting in abnormal hemoglobin protein or quantity. Thalassemia can be divided into α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia, depending on the type of hemoglobin affected. Thalassemia can vary in severity; individuals with mild thalassemia can live for a long time and may not require regular red blood cell transfusion support in daily life, whereas those with severe thalassemia may die shortly after birth.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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The difference between iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia

Iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia have similarities in that both are classified as microcytic hypochromic anemia. However, iron deficiency anemia and thalassemia are two distinct diseases that require further differential diagnosis. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by iron deficiency, often due to chronic blood loss, and it can be cured if the cause is removed and iron supplementation treatment is provided. Thalassemia is a genetic disease with hereditary factors, and there is no particularly effective treatment; iron supplementation is ineffective. Treatment mainly involves red blood cell transfusions and is not curable.

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Written by He Li Fang
Hematology
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Is Mediterranean anemia leukemia?

Thalassemia, formerly known as Mediterranean anemia or oceanic anemia, is a hereditary hemolytic anemia caused by mutations or deletions in globin genes, leading to insufficient synthesis of globin peptide chains. Those who lack beta chains are referred to as having beta-thalassemia, and those who lack alpha chains are known as having alpha-thalassemia. Clinically, it is classified into mild, intermediate, and severe forms based on the severity of anemia. The disease is widespread in many regions of the world, including the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and southern China. In China, it is more commonly found in Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hong Kong, northern Taiwan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Hainan, Fujian, Hunan, and Hubei, and less commonly in the north. Thalassemia is fundamentally defined not as leukemia, but as a genetic disease.

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Written by Li Fang Fang
Hematology
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How to test for thalassemia?

Thalassemia is a genetic disease, a hereditary condition, caused by abnormal production of globin in hemoglobin, leading to hemolytic anemia. Patients with thalassemia should first undergo a routine blood test. If the routine blood test indicates anemia or even if there is no anemia but the red blood cells are very small, it suggests a high possibility of thalassemia. At this point, further screening for thalassemia genes should be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. Once thalassemia is definitively diagnosed, it can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the genotype.

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Written by He Li Fang
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Can thalassemia be inherited by children?

Thalassemia, originally known as Mediterranean anemia or thalassemia, was named due to the early discovered cases predominantly among the Mediterranean coastal populations. However, the disease is widespread in many regions around the world, with Southeast Asia being one of the high-prevalence areas. In China, it is more commonly seen in Guangdong, Guangxi, and Sichuan, and there are also scattered cases in the provinces and regions south of the Yangtze River, while it is less common in the north. It is caused by a hereditary defect in the globin gene, leading to the absence or insufficiency of one or more globin chains in hemoglobin, resulting in anemia. This pathological state is called thalassemia. Due to the complex diversity of genetic defects, the types and quantities of the missing globin chains, as well as clinical symptoms, can vary. Thus, thalassemia encompasses a group of diseases. Being a genetic disorder, Mediterranean anemia can be inherited by children.

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What to eat for anemia in thalassemia

Thalassemia belongs to genetic diseases, hereditary diseases. The cause of the disease is due to genetic and chromosomal abnormalities that lead to congenital defects in the quantity or quality of globin production, resulting in thalassemia. Therefore, no matter what thalassemia patients eat, it cannot help in blood replenishment. For thalassemia patients with severe anemia symptoms, the primary treatment method is red blood cell transfusion support therapy, and oral medications are ineffective. It is important to note that thalassemia patients who undergo repeated red blood cell transfusions need chelation therapy.