Thalassaemia

~ A blood disorder that inherited the day conceived.

~ Caused by charges to the genes that control the production of oxygen-carrying molecules (haemoglobins) in red blood cells.

~ These changes may produce less haemoglobin or haemoglobin that are less efficient in carrying oxygen.

~ Their red blood cells tend to get destroyed faster too.

~ When that happens,they do not have enough haemoglobin or red blood cells ( anaemia ) to carry oxygen around their body.

~ May appear pale and feel fatigued.

~ 2 major types : ( i ) alpha thalassaemia ( ii ) beta thalassaemia,some have delta thalassaemia

~ Patients require regular blood transfusion to have enough healthy red blood cells that can carry enough oxygen to all parts of the body.

~ Signs & symptoms : Fatigue,weakness,shortness of breath,pale appearance and a protruding abdomen.

~ symptoms starts as earlier as at the age of 6 months.

~ Diagnosis is usually made in the first year of life.

~ Poor feeding and poor growth,pale and abdomen is distended due to an enlarged spleen and liver.

~ Diagnosed by a series of blood tests.

~ First blood test evaluates the quality,shape and size of the red blood cells.

~ If not normal,further tests including tests to evaluate the haemoglobin and DNA to diagnose the diseases.

~ Regular transfusions can cause iron to accumulate in the patient's body.

~ Therefore,they need treatment to remove excess iron from their bodies.

~ Can be cured with bone marrow transplantation ( BMT )