Who is the carrier of thalassemia?
A carrier of thalassaemia is someone who carries at least 1 of the faulty genes that causes thalassaemia, but does not have thalassaemia themselves. It’s also known as having the thalassaemia trait. If you’re a thalassaemia carrier, you will not develop thalassaemia.
What happens if you are a carrier of thalassemia?
You will not develop thalassaemia at any point if you’re a carrier of it. You can live a normal life and generally will not have any health problems as a result of being a carrier. But you may develop mild anaemia, which is where there are low levels of haemoglobin (a substance that transports oxygen) in the blood.
Can thalassemia carriers have kids?
Thalassaemia carriers do not have thalassaemia themselves, but there’s a chance they could have a child with thalassaemia if their partner is also a carrier.
How is thalassemia passed on?
Both types of thalassemia are inherited in the same manner. The disease is passed to children by parents who carry the mutated thalassemia gene. A child who inherits one mutated gene is a carrier, which is sometimes called “thalassemia trait.” Most carriers lead completely normal, healthy lives.
Can a thalassemia carrier donate blood?
In conclusion, screening for thalassemia trait should be included as part of a standard blood testing before blood donation. Further studies are required to look at the effects of donated thalassemic blood.
What is alpha thalassemia silent carrier?
Alpha thalassemia silent carrier. One gene is missing or damaged, and the other 3 are normal. Blood tests are usually normal. Your red blood cells may be smaller than normal. Being a silent carrier means you don’t have signs of the disease, but you can pass the damaged gene on to your child.
How long can you live with thalassemia?
Outlook. The outlook depends on the type of thalassemia. A person with the thalassemia trait has a normal life expectancy. However, heart complications arising from beta thalassemia major can make this condition fatal before the age of 30 years.
Is alpha thalassemia bad?
However, health problems caused by alpha thalassemia and its treatment are common and can be serious. Severe thalassemia (severe hemoglobin H or hydrops fetalis) can cause heart failure and death.
What happens if both parents are carriers of alpha thalassemia?
Thalassemias are inherited conditions — they’re carried in the genes and passed on from parents to children. People who are carriers of a thalassemia gene show no thalassemia symptoms and might not know they’re carriers. If both parents are carriers, they can pass the disease to their kids.
What is a thalassemia carrier?
Thalassemia carrier is an individual who has one mutated gene that codes information for the normal production of red blood cells. A thalassemia patient has two or more defective genes. The thalassemia carrier is also known as thalassemia trait or thalassemia minor that has no direct impact on the health.
How is thalassemia passed from parent to child?
The disease is passed to children by parents who carry the mutated thalassemia gene. A child who inherits one mutated gene is a carrier, which is sometimes called “thalassemia trait.” Most carriers lead completely normal, healthy lives. A child who inherits two thalassemia trait genes – one from each parent – will have the disease.
How do you get beta thalassemia disease?
A child who inherits two copies of the mutated gene for beta thalassemia will have beta thalassemia disease. The child can have a mild form of the disease, known as thalassemia intermedia, which causes milder anemia that rarely requires transfusions.
Who should be screened for thalassaemia?
Thalassaemia screening for carrier status is recommended for adults of reproductive age if suspected of being at risk.