May 8th is World Thalassemia Day

Prenatal testing for the Thalassemia gene should be made 

mandatory.

When both parents are Thalassemia minors or carriers, there is a 25% chance of birth of a Thalassemia Major child, 25% chance of a normal child and 50% chance of a Thalassemia Minor child.

• Patients need regular blood transfusions every three to eight weeks to maintain normal hemoglobin levels.
• With regular transfusion and removal of iron (chelation therapy), Thalassemics can live and grow into adulthood. If complications are avoided, they can enjoy a productive life.
• The only curative treatment is bone marrow transplant.