Alpha Thalassemia

Thalassemia is the word used to describe an inherited blood disorder that has been passed onto a child through the genes of their parents. These types of disorder mean that there are fewer red blood cells produced by the body. There is also a lower level of haemoglobin, which is the protein that helps the blood to carry oxygen, as well as carrying carbon dioxide to the lungs to be exhaled.

Those that have thalassemias will have mild to severe anemia which is caused due to the abnormalities in the red blood cells.

Alpha Thalassemias

Alpha thalassemias are a type of thalassemias. When alpha globin protein chains are created, this requires two genes from each parent. If one of more of these genes are missing then their child will have alpha thalassemia trait or disease.

If there is only one missing gene there will be no symptoms though you will be a carrier. Two missing genes means that you will have alpha thalassemia trait and may have mild anemia. Three missing genes means you will probably have the disease and can have moderate and severe anemia. Babies who have four genes missing will usually die before or soon after birth, though to have four genes missing is extremely rare.

Symptoms of Thalassemias

The symptoms experienced by those with thalassemias are due to the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. These can be severe or mild depending on the severity of the disorder. Those with only one missing gene will be silent carriers with no symptoms.

Above this symptoms can range from mild anemia which makes you feel tired, to growth problems around puberty, an enlarged spleen and bone problems which are wider than normal. Severe symptoms include severe anemia, slowed growth, poor appetite, pale skin and bone problems.