Thalassemia is a common genetic disease . It is more common in people of African, Mediterranean:
Prevent :
There is no way to prevent thalassemia once the child is born. Genetic counseling may be helpful to couples with a family history of the disease. There is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that a child will be born with thalassemia major if both parents carry the gene for thalassemia according to the western data.
Thalassemia is diagnosed through blood tests. A sample of blood is taken to look for a low red blood cell count, low hemoglobin levels, small red blood cells, or an abnormal red blood cell structure. Sometimes a more complex genetic analysis is needed.
| Long-term effects of the disease |
Thalassemia minor usually does not cause long-term problems. Thalassemia major, however, can result in stunted growth, problems in bone development, darkened skin, general growth problems, and death.
Risks to others:
Thalassemia is an inherited condition, so a person can passed it on to his or her children.