What does thalassemia look like?

Abnormally shaped red blood cells are a sign of thalassemia. The lab technician may also perform a test known as hemoglobin electrophoresis. This test separates out the different molecules in the red blood cells, allowing them to identify the abnormal type.

Who first describe thalassemia?

Beta thalassemia major was first described in the medical literature in 1925 by an American physician – Thomas Cooley. Beta thalassemia major is also known as Cooley’s anemia.

What is the main cause of thalassemia?

You need four genes (two from each parent) to make enough alpha globin protein chains. If one or more of the genes is missing, you’ll have alpha thalassemia trait or disease. This means that your body doesn’t make enough alpha globin protein. If you’re only missing one gene, you’re a “silent” carrier.

What is thalassemia in biology?

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder wherein the body produces an inadequate amount of haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is a protein molecule that carries oxygen in the red blood cells. This disorder results in the extreme destruction of red blood cells that leads to anaemia.

What is the nature of thalassemia?

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that reduces the production of functional hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen). This causes a shortage of red blood cells and low levels of oxygen in the bloodstream, leading to a variety of health problems.

Why thalassemia is called Sea blood?

thalassemia, group of blood disorders characterized by a deficiency of hemoglobin, the blood protein that transports oxygen to the tissues. Thalassemia (Greek: “sea blood”) is so called because it was first discovered among peoples around the Mediterranean Sea, among whom its incidence is high.

What is the effect of thalassemia?

Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-me-uh) is an inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen. Thalassemia can cause anemia, leaving you fatigued. If you have mild thalassemia, you might not need treatment.

Which thalassemia is most common?

Frequency. Beta thalassemia is a fairly common blood disorder worldwide. Thousands of infants with beta thalassemia are born each year. Beta thalassemia occurs most frequently in people from Mediterranean countries, North Africa, the Middle East, India, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.

How thalassemia is diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects your child has thalassemia, he or she can confirm a diagnosis with blood tests. Blood tests can reveal the number of red blood cells and abnormalities in size, shape or color. Blood tests can also be used for DNA analysis to look for mutated genes.

What gene causes thalassemia?

Mutations in the HBB gene cause beta thalassemia. The HBB gene provides instructions for making a protein called beta-globin. Beta-globin is a component (subunit) of hemoglobin . Hemoglobin consists of four protein subunits, typically two subunits of beta-globin and two subunits of another protein called alpha-globin.

What is thalassemia and its types?

There are 2 main types of thalassemia: alpha and beta. Different genes are affected for each type. Thalassemia can cause mild or severe anemia. Anemia occurs when your body does not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. The severity and type of anemia depends on how many genes are affected.

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