genetic⚑ High burden in India

Alpha-thalassemia

is an inherited blood disorder and a form of . Thalassemias are a group of inherited blood conditions which result in the impaired production of , the molecule that carries oxygen in the blood. Symptoms depend on the extent to which hemoglobin is deficient, and include , pallor, tiredness, enlargement of the , iron overload, abnormal bone structure, , and . In severe cases death ensues, often in infancy, or death of the unborn fetus.

Underlined words are explained — tap any of them.

Symptoms — what it feels like

·, , enlarged

Causes — why it happens

·Genetically determined in alpha globin production

How it's found

·Blood smear, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing

Treatment

·Blood , possible , bone

Complications

·Iron overload

More in Blood

Iron-deficiency anaemia Thalassaemia Sickle cell disease Leukaemia Lymphoma Haemophilia G6PD deficiency Aplastic anaemia Immune thrombocytopenia Multiple myeloma Von Willebrand disease Vitamin B12 deficiency

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Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.