Thalassemia

• 13 Dec 2024

Source: HT 

A critical shortage of Desferal (deferoxamine) in Delhi government hospitals has put thalassemia patients at risk of severe complications from iron overload, as the drug is essential for those unable to tolerate oral chelators. 

• Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that reduces the body’s ability to produce normal hemoglobin, leading to fewer healthy red blood cells and anemia. 
• Symptoms range from growth issues, delayed puberty, and bone abnormalities in mild cases to poor appetite, jaundice, dark urine, and facial bone irregularities in severe cases. 
• Types of Thalassemia: 
  • Alpha Thalassemia: Caused by defective alpha-globin genes inherited from both parents. 
    • Severity depends on the number of defective genes. 
  • Beta Thalassemia: Caused by defects in beta-globin genes. 
    • Symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on the number and type of defective genes. 
• Approximately 280 million people worldwide are affected by thalassemia, with an estimated 4.4 out of every 10,000 live births impacted by the disorder globally. 

Read more: Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojna