Thalassemia

Alternate Names : Thalassemia Major, Thalassemia Minor, Cooley's Anemia, Mediterranean Anemia

What can be done to prevent the disease?

There is no way to prevent thalessemia once the child is born. Genetic counseling may be helpful to couples with a family history of the disease. There is a 25% chance with each pregnancy that a child will be born with thalassemia major if both parents carry the gene for thalassemia.

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Thalassemia minor usually does not cause long-term problems. Thalassemia major, however, can result in stunted growth, problems in bone development, darkened skin, general growth problems, and death.

What are the risks to others?

Thalassemia is an inherited condition, so a person can passed it on to his or her children.