What Is Thalassemia?
Disease description:
I brought my baby for a physical examination, and the doctor said my baby has thalassemia. I would like to ask—what exactly is thalassemia?
Hello,
Thalassemia is a hemolytic anemia caused by reduced or absent synthesis of one or more globin chains due to mutations or deletions in one or more globin genes. This leads to an imbalance in the ratio of globin chains, resulting in hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis—varying in severity. Microcytic hypochromic anemia encompasses two major types: alpha (α)-thalassemia and beta (β)-thalassemia, which arise from abnormalities in the α- and β-globin genes, respectively; other rare forms result from defects in additional globin genes.
We hope this information is helpful to you. Wishing you a happy and healthy life!