thalassemia
Inherited anemia condition
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder in which the body produces abnormal hemoglobin, leading to anemia and other complications.
The severity ranges from mild forms requiring no treatment to major forms necessitating regular blood transfusions.
Named from the Greek word for sea, it was first identified in populations around the Mediterranean but occurs worldwide.
Couples with thalassemia trait may undergo genetic counseling before having children.
Unhealthy facial whiteness
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air
- dizzinessUnsteady, spinning sensation
jaundice · hepatomegaly · bone deformities · failure to thrive · irritability · poor appetite · leg ulcers · dark urine
Property received from ancestors
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- recessiveMasked unless paired identically
- carrierOne that transports
- genetic counselingGuidance on inherited conditions
prenatal testing · screening · pedigree · family history · chromosomes · alleles · genotype · phenotype
Erythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- erythrocytesOxygen-carrying blood cells
- hemolysisRed blood cell destruction
- hematocritRed cell volume fraction
- complete blood countHematological assessment of cellular elements
Sea between Europe, Africa, Asia
- GreeceBalkan peninsula nation
- ItalyBoot-shaped European nation
- CyprusMediterranean island nation
- SardiniaItalian autonomous island region
Sicily · Southeast Asia · Thailand · India · Middle East · Africa · China · endemic
Transfer of blood intravenously
- chelationChemical metal-ion capture
- ferritinIron-storing blood protein
- splenectomySurgical organ removal
- bone marrow transplantInfusing healthy hematopoietic cells
stem cell transplant · folic acid · gene therapy · monitoring
Heart muscle disorder
- heart failureInadequate blood pumping condition
- diabetesMetabolic disorder affecting glucose
- hypothyroidismInsufficient thyroid hormone production
- hypogonadismDeficient sex hormone production
osteoporosis · cirrhosis · gallstones · thrombosis · infections · delayed puberty
pallor
Unhealthy facial whiteness
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- shortness of breathDifficulty inhaling enough air
dizziness · jaundice · hepatomegaly · bone deformities · failure to thrive · irritability · poor appetite · leg ulcers · dark urine
inheritance
Property received from ancestors
genetic counseling · prenatal testing · screening · pedigree · family history · chromosomes · alleles · genotype · phenotype · hereditary
hemoglobin
Erythrocyte's oxygen-binding protein
- erythrocytesOxygen-carrying blood cells
- hemolysisRed blood cell destruction
- hematocritRed cell volume fraction
Mediterranean
Sea between Europe, Africa, Asia
Sardinia · Sicily · Southeast Asia · Thailand · India · Middle East · Africa · China · endemic · malaria
transfusion
Transfer of blood intravenously
- chelationChemical metal-ion capture
- ferritinIron-storing blood protein
- splenectomySurgical organ removal
bone marrow transplant · stem cell transplant · folic acid · gene therapy · monitoring
cardiomyopathy
Heart muscle disorder
- heart failureInadequate blood pumping condition
- diabetesMetabolic disorder affecting glucose
- hypothyroidismInsufficient thyroid hormone production
hypogonadism · osteoporosis · cirrhosis · gallstones · thrombosis · infections · delayed puberty
thalassemiasickle cell disease
Hereditary anemia with misshapen erythrocytes