How can thalassemia be treated?
A blood and marrow stem cell transplant replaces faulty stem cells with healthy ones from another person (a donor). Stem cells are the cells inside bone marrow that make red blood cells and other types of blood cells. A stem cell transplant is the only treatment that can cure thalassemia.
Why is thalassemia common in Asia?
Due to high rate of international migration, thalassemias are spreading to non-endemic parts of the world [2]. In many Asian countries, the most common form of thalassemia results from the coinheritance of beta thalassemia and HbE.
Is there a permanent cure for thalassemia?
Nutritional supplements, in the form of folic acid supplements, and monitoring of B12 levels are important, as these nutrients are key components to making healthy blood cells. Bone marrow and stem cell transplant from a compatible related donor is the only treatment that can cure thalassemia.
What is the drug of choice for thalassemia?
Penicillin V is the drug of choice (DOC) for prophylaxis in patients with thalassemia who have undergone a splenectomy (erythromycin is used in patients allergic to penicillin).
What happens if one parent has alpha thalassemia?
When only one parent has alpha thalassemia trait and the other does not, there is no chance of having a baby with the most severe form of alpha thalassemia. However, each child has a 50% (or 1 in 2) chance to inherit the trait from the parent.
What if both parents have thalassemia?
If both parents have the beta thalassaemia trait, there’s a: 1 in 4 chance each child they have will not inherit any faulty genes and will not have thalassaemia or be able to pass it on. 1 in 2 chance each child they have will just inherit a copy of the faulty gene from 1 parent and be a carrier.
Which medicine should be avoided in thalassemia?
Some drugs, such as aspirin and throat lozenges, as well as certain ‘health foods’, may contain vitamin C and should be avoided.
How does folic acid help thalassemia?
Many times people with thalassemia are prescribed a supplemental B vitamin, known as folic acid, to help treat anemia. Folic acid can help red blood cells develop. Treatment with folic acid is usually done in addition to other therapies.