![]() If you have thalassemia, or if you carry a thalassemia gene, consider talking with a genetic counselor for guidance if you want to have children. In most cases, you can't prevent thalassemia. Congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms can be associated with severe thalassemia. Anemia can both slow a child's growth and delay puberty. If your spleen grows too big, your doctor might suggest surgery to remove it. This causes your spleen to enlarge and work harder than normal.Īn enlarged spleen can make anemia worse, and it can reduce the life of transfused red blood cells. Thalassemia is often accompanied by the destruction of a large number of red blood cells. The spleen helps your body fight infection and filter unwanted material, such as old or damaged blood cells. Bone marrow expansion also makes bones thin and brittle, increasing the chance of broken bones.Įnlarged spleen. This can result in abnormal bone structure, especially in your face and skull. Thalassemia can make your bone marrow expand, which causes your bones to widen. In cases of severe thalassemia, the following complications can occur: This is especially true if you've had your spleen removed. People with thalassemia have an increased risk of infection. Too much iron can result in damage to your heart, liver and endocrine system, which includes hormone-producing glands that regulate processes throughout your body. ![]() People with thalassemia can get too much iron in their bodies, either from the disease or from frequent blood transfusions. Possible complications of moderate to severe thalassemia include: Thalassemia occurs most often in African Americans and in people of Mediterranean and Southeast Asian descent. ![]() Thalassemia is passed from parents to children through mutated hemoglobin genes. A milder form, called thalassemia intermedia, also can result from two mutated genes.įactors that increase your risk of thalassemia include: This condition is called thalassemia major, or Cooley anemia.īabies born with two defective beta hemoglobin genes usually are healthy at birth but develop signs and symptoms within the first two years of life. Two mutated genes, your signs and symptoms will be moderate to severe. This condition is called thalassemia minor or beta-thalassemia.
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