What is thalassemia minor trait?
People who have thalassemia trait (also called thalassemia minor) carry the genetic trait for thalassemia but do not usually experience any health problems except perhaps a mild anemia. A person may have either alpha thalassemia trait or beta thalassemia trait, depending upon which form of beta protein is lacking.
How does thalassemia affect pregnancy?
Pregnant women with beta thalassemia can develop anemia, which can raise the chances of delivering early. You also may need more frequent blood transfusions during pregnancy for your health and the health of your baby.
What is the pathophysiology of thalassemia?
Thalassemia is a blood disorder that is caused by DNA mutations in cells that are responsible for producing hemoglobin. This leads to a reduction in the number and ability of the red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body and can cause sufferers to feel symptoms such as fatigue.
Does exercise help thalassemia?
Exercise. Exercise is part of an overall healthy lifestyle and helps lead to better health outcomes. Although some people with thalassemia may have trouble participating in vigorous forms of exercise, many people with thalassemia can participate in moderate physical activities including biking, running, and walking.
Is thalassemia minor serious?
Thalassemia minor is a less serious form of the disorder. There are two main forms of thalassemia that are more serious. In alpha thalassemia, at least one of the alpha globin genes has a mutation or abnormality. In beta thalassemia, the beta globin genes are affected.
Does thalassemia minor affect fertility?
Although spontaneous fertility can occur in well-transfused and well-chelated patients with thalassemia, infertility mainly due to HH still remains one of the most common morbidities and obstacles for having children [9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. In our cohort, male and female fertility rates were 50%.
Is thalassemia minor a hemolytic anemia?
(Mediterranean Anemia; Thalassemia Major and Minor) Thalassemias are a group of inherited microcytic, hemolytic anemias characterized by defective hemoglobin synthesis.
What is thalassemia major and minor?
If you inherit: One mutated gene, you’ll have mild signs and symptoms. This condition is called thalassemia minor or beta-thalassemia. Two mutated genes, your signs and symptoms will be moderate to severe. This condition is called thalassemia major, or Cooley anemia.
Can thalassemia cause weight gain?
The signs and symptoms of thalassemia major appear within the first 2 years of life. Children develop life-threatening anemia. They do not gain weight and grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive) and may develop yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
Can thalassemia patients marry?
Aim: With good care, patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major (TDTM) can reach older ages, marry and reproduce.
What is the best treatment for thalassemia?
Frequent blood transfusions. More severe forms of thalassemia often require frequent blood transfusions,possibly every few weeks.
What is the difference between thalassemia minor and major?
• Thalassemia major patient is dependent on regular blood transfusion throughout life where as thalassemia minor is a healthy person but with slightly lower hemoglobin level. • Thalassemia major is caused by mutation of both hemoglobin genes where as thalassemia minor is caused by mutation of one gene.
How long can you live with thalassemia?
Beta thalassemia intermedia also have a normal life span with proper treatment and management of beta thalassemia. The average life expectancy of a person with beta thalassemia major is about 17 years, most of the time by the age of 30 they die due to iron overload causing cardiac complications.
Is there a cure for thalassemia?
If you’re not getting enough folic acid in your diet, your doctor may recommend a 1 mg supplement taken daily. There’s no one diet that can cure thalassemia, but making sure you eat the right foods can help. Be sure to discuss any dietary changes with your doctor ahead of time. Since thalassemia is a genetic disorder, there’s no way to prevent it.