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Thalassaemia is
one of the most common inherited diseases. It is a generic blood
disorder whereby the blood cells are unable to carry sufficient oxygen
for the body's needs.
Thalassaemic child
There are two
common types of Thalassaemia traits - alpha Thalassaemia trait and beta
Thalassaemia trait.
The baby with
alpha Thalassaemia major will usually die within six hours of birth or
is stillborn. The mother may also have other problems, like high blood
pressure and post-delivery hemorrhages (bleeding). She (the mother) may
even lose her life.
As for beta
Thalassaemia major, the child will begin to display certain signs six to
seven months after birth. The child may not be eating or playing too
well and may be pale, listless and tired. He may also suffer bone
deformities, particularly in the face, be unable to grow very tall, and
have an enlarged liver and spleen. Untreated, a beta-Thalassaemia major
child will usually die by the age of 10 years. Treatment consists of
regular blood transfusion and iron chelation, or bone marrow transplant.
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