What is:THALASSEMIA

thalassemia is usually diagnosed very early due to newborn screening or through testing done when treatment is sought for severe anemia. Most patients with severe thalassemia start requiring treatment early in life.

Symptoms of thalassemia include pallor or jaundice, feeling tired, shortness of breath, an inability to tolerate exercise and a swollen abdomen from an enlarged spleen. The spleen may become enlarged because it is working harder to produce red blood cells. Also, the bone marrow within the bones is having to work harder to produce red blood cells, and it can become enlarged, causing the bones to expand and grow thinner and more brittle.

The treatment for thalassemia includes blood transfusions and, in some cases, a bone marrow transplant. New bone marrow received during a bone marrow transplant produces normal, healthy red blood cells. Some children require surgery to remove an enlarged spleen.