Is thalassemia a type of aplastic anemia?

Thalassemia does not belong to aplastic anemia. There are significant differences between the two diseases in terms of causes, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations. 1. Causes: Thalassemia is mainly caused by mutations in globin genes and is a hereditary hemolytic anemia; aplastic anemia, however, results from bone marrow failure and may be associated with various factors such as viral infections, chemical drugs, and radiation exposure. 2. Pathogenesis: Thalassemia is characterized by shortened red blood cell lifespan and hemolysis; aplastic anemia involves defects in hematopoietic stem cells, damage to the hematopoietic microenvironment, and alterations in immune mechanisms. 3. Clinical manifestations: Patients with thalassemia commonly present with symptoms such as anemia, jaundice, and splenomegaly; aplastic anemia primarily manifests as pancytopenia, including symptoms like anemia, bleeding, and recurrent infections.