Thalassemia
Abby Koors
Overview
*Thalassemia is when your blood doesn't have the average amount of oxygen- carrying protein (Beta Protein)
* Any age can be affected* Fewer than 200,000 cases per year (rare disease)
* Must have doctors diagnosis
* Can last for few years, or be long term
Symptoms
* Fatigue
* Weakness
* Stunted growth
* Paleness
* Shortness of breath
* Yellowing of skin and eyes
Yellowing Of Skin and Eyes
Shortness Of Breath
Stunted Growth
How it's inherited
* Occurs when there is a mutation in the gene that codes for Alpha Globins
* Recessive trait- can only occur if a parent is a carrier of the mutated gene
* Many generations can be affected
Current Studies and Tests/ Treatments
* Scientists have been working on determining if the Beta protein can be inserted in the blood through certain transactions, but sadly nothing has been detected yet
* Blood transfusions can take place
* Donor stem-cell transplant
Sources
Mar. 2016. Web. 5 Apr. 2016. <http://www.thalassemia.org/
learn-about-thalassemia/clinical-trials/>.
"Genetics of Thalassemia." Benioff Children's Hospital. Northern California
Comprehensive Thalassemia Center, 2012. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.
<http://thalassemia.com/genetics-inheritance.aspx#gsc.tab=0>.
"Thalassemia." Google Search. Mayo Clinic, 30 Mar. 2016. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.
<https://www.gstatic.com/healthricherkp/pdf/thalassemia.pdf>.