What is thalassemia?

Thalassemia, also known as Mediterranean anemia, is a group of inherited hemolytic anemia disorders. It is primarily caused by abnormalities in the globin genes, leading to the synthesis of abnormal hemoglobin molecules, which damage the structure and function of red blood cells, making them prone to rupture and thereby causing anemia. The disease has several types, the most common being alpha-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia. Mild thalassemia usually presents with mild or no obvious symptoms, while severe forms such as severe beta-thalassemia can lead to serious chronic anemia and may require frequent blood transfusions to sustain life. Thalassemia is commonly found in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Mediterranean area. It has significant hereditary characteristics and is unrelated to the patient's gender. If there is a family history of thalassemia, genetic counseling and screening are recommended.