What is beta plus thalassemia?

Sickle Beta Plus Thalassemia (Sβ+ thalassemia) is a “mild” form of sickle cell disease. Your child’s red blood cells have only a small amount of the normal hemoglobin called hemoglobin A. They also have abnormal hemoglobin called hemoglobin S (sickle hemoglobin).

What is beta Talassemia?

What is beta thalassemia? Thalassemia (thal-uh-SEE-mee-uh) is a blood disorder that is inherited. This means it is passed down from one or both parents through their genes. When you have thalassemia, your body makes less hemoglobin than normal. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in red blood cells.

What are beta (+) and beta 0 Thalassemias?

Mutations that completely inactivate the β gene resulting in no β-globin production cause β0-thalassemia. Other mutations allow the production of some β globin, and depending on the degree of quantitative reduction in the output of the β chains, are classified as β+- or β++- (“silent”) thalassemia.

What is the treatment for beta thalassemia?

Treatment for beta thalassemia may include: Regular blood transfusions. Medications (to decrease amount of iron in the body, called chelation therapy) Surgical removal of the spleen (if necessary)

Who is at risk for beta thalassemia?

Beta thalassemia is most often found in people who are of Greek, Italian, African, or Asian origin. The diagnosis is most often made between ages 6 and 12. These tests may be able to tell if you are a carrier and can pass the disorder on to your children: Complete blood count (CBC).

What is HbA HbA2 and HbF?

Many different types of hemoglobin (Hb) exist. The most common ones are HbA, HbA2, HbE, HbF, HbS, HbC, HbH, and HbM. Healthy adults only have significant levels of only HbA and HbA2. Some people may also have small amounts of HbF. This is the main type of hemoglobin in an unborn baby’s body.

Is beta thalassemia curable?

Blood transfusions and chelation do not cure beta thalassemia. Some people with beta thalassemia intermedia and major can be cured with a stem cell transplant. A stem cell transplant is a serious procedure with many risks.

Why is HbA2 increased in beta thalassemia?

Hb A2 is increased in beta thalassemia because the relative lack of beta globin allows more delta chains to be incorporated into hemoglobin. Beta thalassemia is caused by mutations in the beta globin gene locus on chromosome 11.

Is beta thalassemia minor serious?

People with beta thalassemia minor may have mild anemia, but usually don’t need any medical treatment. Beta thalassemia intermedia. People with beta thalassemia intermedia have moderately severe anemia and some will need blood transfusions and other medical treatment.

How is beta-thalassemia differentiated from sideroblastic anemias?

Beta-thalassemia can be differentiated from sideroblastic anemias because thalassemias lack ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow and lack elevation of erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Iron deficiency is easily ruled out with reference range iron studies (serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, percent transferrin saturation).

What is beta thalassemia?

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. It causes the body to make less hemoglobin. There are several types of beta thalassemia. Different people will have different symptoms, based on which type of beta thalassemia is inherited.

Can gene editing correct anaemia in beta-thalassemic mice?

“In vivo correction of anaemia in β-thalassemic mice by γPNA-mediated gene editing with nanoparticle delivery”. Nature Communications. 7: 13304.

What is mild anemia in thalassemia minor?

Persons with thalassemia minor have (at most) mild anemia (slight lowering of the hemoglobin level in the blood). This situation can very closely resemble that with mild iron-deficiency anemia.