Why is thalassemia prone to infection?
Predisposing factors for infections in thalassemic patients include severe anemia, iron overload, splenectomy, and immune abnormalities including low WBC and impair WBC function.
What are the side effects of thalassemia minor?
Thalassemia signs and symptoms can include:
- Fatigue.
- Weakness.
- Pale or yellowish skin.
- Facial bone deformities.
- Slow growth.
- Abdominal swelling.
- Dark urine.
What should be avoided in thalassemia minor?
Fruits/Vegetables that should be avoided or eliminated from the diet:
- prune juice.
- prunes.
- watermelon.
- spinach.
- leafy green vegetables.
- dates.
- raisins.
- broccoli.
What are the side effects of alpha thalassemia?
In people with the characteristic features of alpha thalassemia, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin prevents enough oxygen from reaching the body’s tissues. Affected individuals also have a shortage of red blood cells (anemia ), which can cause pale skin, weakness, fatigue, and more serious complications.
Does thalassemia minor affect periods?
Puberty may be delayed or progress abnormally in teenagers with thalassemia, due to iron build up impairing the function of the pituitary gland. This may lead to complications such as: Absence of menstruation, known as amenorrhea.
What should a thalassemia minor eat?
Nutrition & Thalassemia Nutritional deficiencies are common in thalassemia. It is recommended that patients going through blood transfusion should opt for a low iron diet. Avoiding iron-fortified foods like cereal, red meat, green leafy vegetables & Vitamin C-rich foods is the best option for thalassemic patients.
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.
How do you overcome thalassemia minor?
Mild forms of thalassemia trait don’t need treatment….Treatment
- Frequent blood transfusions. More severe forms of thalassemia often require frequent blood transfusions, possibly every few weeks.
- Chelation therapy. This is treatment to remove excess iron from your blood.
- Stem cell transplant.
Can alpha thalassemia get worse?
Symptoms can worsen with fever. They can also get worse if you are exposed to certain medicines, chemicals, or infectious agents. Blood transfusions are often needed. You have a greater risk of having a child with alpha thalassemia major.
Can thalassemia cause hair loss?
While severe iron deficiency anemia can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain, some people also experience hair loss. Doctors are not sure why some people who experience hair loss have low iron stores.
Does thalassemia minor affect fertility?
Thalassemia may induce other medical problems that can impair fertility, such as diabetes and hypothyroidism. In addition, a man or woman may have fertility issues that are unrelated to thalassemia.
What vitamins should I take if I have thalassemia minor?
People with thalassemia minor or trait usually do not need blood transfusions because they either do not have anemia or have only a mild anemia. Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop.
What is alpha thalassemia?
A thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. It causes the body to make less hemoglobin than normal. There are 4 different types of alpha thalassemia. This condition causes mild to severe anemia, based on the type of alpha thalassemia that is inherited. People who have this condition can pass the disease on to their children.
Are You at risk for alpha thalassemia major?
You have a greater risk of having a child with alpha thalassemia major. Alpha thalassemia major. All 4 genes are missing. This causes severe anemia. In most cases, a baby with this condition will die before birth. Who is at risk for alpha thalassemia? This is a genetic disease inherited from one or both parents.
What is thalassemia minor (thalassemias minor)?
Thalassemia minor is defined as a genetic disorder of hemoglobin synthesis in which alpha-globin chain synthesis is reduced. It is also known as beta-thalassemia minor.
What happens if a gene is deleted from a child with thalassemia?
If two genes are deleted (alpha thalassemia minor or trait), there is microcytosis with or without mild anemia If all four genes are deleted there is no alpha chain synthesis and the patient develops a condition called hydrops fetalis. Children affected by beta-thalassemia major present during the first year of life with severe anemia