Thalassemia
Alternate Names : Thalassemia Major, Thalassemia Minor, Cooley's Anemia, Mediterranean Anemia
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
The symptoms of thalassemia depend on the genetic defect and its severity. The more
severe the genetic defect, the less hemoglobin that is produced and the more
severe the anemia that results. Thalassemia minor may not cause any symptoms.
If it does, the most common symptom is long-term, mild anemia.
Someone with thalassemia major usually has severe hemolytic disease. This
means that the red blood cells are constantly being destroyed. This occurs
faster than the body can replace them. Thalassemia major is usually diagnosed
by 1 year of age. The symptoms of thalassemia major may include:
paleness
jaundice, or yellow colored
skin
failure to thrive
enlarged spleen and liver
bony abnormalities, especially of the facial bones
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