Thalassemia is a hereditary disease that a person inherits from his or her parent(s). It reduces the production of red blood cells produced by your bone marrow, resulting in anemia.
(Anemia is a condition where your body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout your body)
Clinically, there are 3 types of anemia (low haemoglobin) that are produced by the Thalassemia disorder. They range from minor (mild) to intermediate and major.
The major form of Thalassemia is a life-long condition that is very debilitating. The affected person requires regular transfusion (every 2 to 3 weeks) that lasts for a lifetime. They will not be able to lead a fully functional life without transfusion, and he/she will experience all kinds of symptoms associated with very low blood / anemia.
The symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Breathlessness or exertion
- Poor effort tolerance
- Heart failure (in severe cases)
After many years, the numerous transfusions given to a person with Thalassemia major will affect their organs; especially the liver, the heart, the endocrine system, the bones and their normal growth pattern as a child. Very often, the organs damaged by numerous transfusions is life threatening.
However, the happening of thalassemia major is an event that can be avoided through screening tests on healthy child-bearing adults.
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