Thalassaemia

• What are the two types of thalassaemia?

  Alpha and Beta
• What are some features of beta-thalassaemia?

  Mild hypochromic, microcytic anaemia

  HbA2 raised (>3.5%)
• What type of genetic inheritance does beta-thalassaemia have?

  Autosomal recessive
• What causes beta-thalassaemia?

  Deficiency in the beta chains in haemoglobin
• What causes alpha-thalassaemia?

  Deficiency in the alpha chains in haemoglobin
• What are the features of alpha-thalassaemia where 3 alpha-globin alleles are affected?

  Hypochromic microcytic anaemia

  Splenomegaly
• How is beta thalassaemia major managed?

  Blood transfusions (for life)

  Iron chelation therapy