genetic⚑ High burden in India
Alpha-thalassemia
Alpha-thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder and a form of thalassemia. Thalassemias are a group of inherited blood conditions which result in the impaired production of hemoglobin, 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 gallstones. 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, hemoglobin electrophoresis, DNA sequencing
Treatment
- ·Blood transfusion, possible splenectomy, bone
Complications
- ·Iron overload
More in Blood
Iron-deficiency anaemiaThalassaemiaSickle cell diseaseLeukaemiaLymphomaHaemophiliaG6PD deficiencyAplastic anaemiaImmune thrombocytopeniaMultiple myelomaVon Willebrand diseaseVitamin B12 deficiency
See all of Blood →Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.